Josh Hazlewood is considered fit and available for the WTC and Ashes series: Cricket Australia

Cricket Australia (CA) are confident that Josh Hazlewood will be fit for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final and Ashes, despite travelling home early from the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Australia will face India in the WTC final which is scheduled to commence on June 7, at The Oval, in London. Meanwhile, The Ashes will begin on June 16 and will conclude on July 31.

Hazlewood, who has been battling injuries for the past 18 months, felt side soreness following his most recent IPL game for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) against Mumbai Indians (MI) on May 9. He did, however, return to Australia, where he has since resumed bowling before departing for England later this week. According to a CA statement, Hazlewood returned home from the IPL last weekend after experiencing slight side soreness following the conclusion of his most recent IPL encounter.

Furthermore, Cricket Australia stated that Hazlewood returned to high-intensity bowling last week after a brief and precautionary rest period. Moreover, the pacer will continue to increase his bowling workload in preparation for the WTC and Ashes series. As of now, the board is confident that Hazlewood will remain available for both the mega events just in time.

Hazlewood returned to high-intensity bowling last week: Cricket Australia

Meanwhile, speaking of Josh Hazlewood's IPL campaign and his injury status, the Aussie quick left the IPL midway and returned home last weekend. Notably, Hazlewood has been sustaining a minor soreness after featuring in his last IPL match. Cricket Australia have been monitoring his recovery all through his IPL campaign as Australia are scheduled to take on India in a high-octane clash in the WTC Final.

"Josh Hazlewood returned home from the IPL last weekend after experiencing minor side soreness after the completion of his most recent IPL match," Cricket Australia stated.

"After a brief and precautionary rest period, Hazlewood returned to high-intensity bowling last week and will continue to increase his bowling workloads in preparation for the WTC and Ashes series," the CA statement read.

"Hazlewood is considered fit and available for the WTC and Ashes series," the Australian board concluded.

After battling side ailments, Hazlewood has been limited to four Tests for Australia since December 2021. He was later sidelined for Australia’s India tour due to an Achilles injury, which also affected the start of his IPL season. However, he is still one of Australia's first-choice three quick bowlers for the Ashes series.

Australia will play six Tests in eight weeks, with three short breaks in between. Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Scott Boland were the only pacers named in the first team. Meanwhile, Australia will also get the services of Sean Abbott and Michael Neser in England.