There's a bit of concern among Australian players due to COVID-19 cases: CSK pacer Josh Hazlewood

The entire cricket fraternity was left stunned after 13 personnel, including two players from the Chennai Super Kings camp have reportedly tested COVID-19 positive days before the much-awaited IPL 2020, putting the tournament’s feasibility in jeopardy.

The BCCI was slated to announce the official schedule of IPL 2020 by the end of August. However, considering the current COVID-19 situation, the board has pushed it further. The season opener, initially scheduled between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, could also face a change due to recent developments.

Australian pace bowler Josh Hazlewood has also admitted to having some concern over the COVID-19 outbreak in the CSK camp. As per the norms, members who’ve tested COVID-19 positive will have to undergo rounds of testing in the next few days, delaying CSK’s training plans. Hazlewood revealed that everyone’s been kept in the loop about developments via WhatsApp.

Josh Hazlewood is currently in the UK ahead of England series

“We have a WhatsApp group with all the information that comes through, it’s obviously a little bit of a concern. Ideally, you’d have no cases, they are in quarantine now and I think that finishes up in the next few days. All my focus is on this tour at the moment and when the IPL comes closer we’ll think about that,” Hazlewood said as quoted by Cricbuzz.

The Australian pacer is currently in the UK alongside the rest of the Australia squad to feature in a limited-overs series against England. After the conclusion of the series, players from both sides will fly to UAE and join their respective IPL franchises. Hazlewood, who is associated with CSK for this year’s IPL, revealed that there will be discussions with Cricket Australia in case the numbers go up.

“We haven’t spoken too much about it yet, it’s a few weeks away until we get there,” he noted. “I assume those things will come up if cases are still happening closer to the date, then we’ll touch base with Cricket Australia and have a chat,” he added.

Hazlewood hasn’t played for Australia in the shortest format of the game ever since the 2016 World T20. But the 29-year-old is hoping to put up a good show against England and increase his chances of returning back to the Australian T20I side.

“That’s always the goal, to play every game of cricket you can for Australia. It’s probably just through the opportunity that I haven’t, guess scheduling as well plays a part. But the T20 team has been going really well and as you expect it’s stayed pretty much the same XI, they’ve been winning most of their games and it’s a tough side to get into,” he said.