‘Just happens to be at the wrong time’ - Josh Hazlewood opens up on 'frustrating' injury

Due to multiple injuries, ace pacer Josh Hazlewood has played only three Test matches since the beginning of the last home season of Australia. The cricketer has spent a lot of time on the sidelines and as per Hazlewood, it has been a very frustrating period.

The 31-year-old recently suffered a side strain against South Africa at the Gabba. Following that, the speedster withdrew himself from the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground as he couldn’t recover. However, as thing stand, he is set to return to playing XI in the third and final Test of the South Africa series.

The Tamworth-born cricketer is expected to replace Mitchell Starc as the latter has suffered an injury on his bowling arm. While speaking about his own injury, Hazlewood said that the timing of the injury couldn’t have been any worse.

“It's frustrating, definitely. I don't feel like I've been injured much...it just happens to be at the wrong time of the year, after the first Test. The Test matches are so close together now. Apart from that, [for] the rest of the 24 months I've been fit and firing. So it's frustrating when you think about it like that.

“I think it's just part of fast bowling that it's a strength issue at times and it's a workload issue at times. Nothing too much to worry about, just little things I'll need to tick off in the future,” Hazlewood said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Have to dig into it when we have a bit more time: Hazlewood on his injuries

Since the cricketer suffered a back-to-back side strain injuries, there is some uncertainty around his availability in the long run. Hazlewood stated that the medical team would further assess his injury once Australia will be done with the upcoming Test matches as their major focus currently lies on the players who are in action on the field.

“They're a little bit in a different position. We'd probably have to dig into it when we have a bit more time. There's been a lot going on in the last few weeks and they (medical staff) have focused on the guys on the field a lot. Behind the scenes there's chats…just through is there a link here or there, or what it could be. I think it's just part of fast bowling that it's a strength issue at times and it's a workload issue at times. Nothing too much to worry about, just little things I'll need to tick off in the future,” he said.