Josh Hazlewood is racing against time to see himself playing in World Cup 2019

The run-up period to a World Cup is always about the nervous energy, be it in any sport. The time till the participating teams pick their final squads will see players making the best possible efforts to get in shape, especially those who have had a stint with injuries recently. One such player is Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood who is recovering from a back injury.

The 28-year-old right-arm bowler was one of Australia’s three main pacers in the four-Test series against India and took 13 wickets but then missed the two-match series against Sri Lanka next because of the injury. The New South Wales cricketer has also been ruled out of Australia’s upcoming T20I and ODI series against India and also he remains uncertain to take part in the five-match ODI series against Pakistan next month. Absence from the two major preparatory series for the World Cup could see Hazlewood’s dream of playing in his second showpiece event in jeopardy.

Cricket Australia physiotherapist David Beakley had earlier said that he was suffering from an early stage stress fracture, similar to the one that had kept him on the sidelines for six months in 2018. Hazlewood is set to undergo a follow-up scan on Friday which would reveal the progress of his recovery. The bowler, who has 72 wickets from 44 ODIs, though is optimistic of playing the World Cup warm-up games for his return.

Hazlewood to undergo a scan on Friday

“I think we’ll know a lot more after tomorrow, to be honest. Hopefully, in the coming weeks we’ll start working through it,” NDTV cited reports quoting him as saying.

“Everything feels fine so training’s coming along nicely, progressing every week. I think we’ll just work back from the World Cup really and make sure everything’s right for that, which gives me plenty of time,” Hazlewood said in a tone of hope.

Australia will play in some practice games at home in May before leaving for England and their first opponent in the mega tournament is Afghanistan who they play on June 1 in Bristol. Another Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc is also struggling to recover from an injury he sustained during the recent Test series against Sri Lanka and has been ruled out of the India tour.

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