Josh Hazlewood: Pace star sent for scans on calf injury in latest injury setback

Josh Hazlewood’s injury-interrupted summer has continued, with a calf issue forcing him from the field to get scans on day four of the Third Test in Brisbane.

Hazlewood reported what Cricket Australia have described as “calf awareness” in his morning warm-up.

He failed to start the day’s play, before rejoining his teammates on the field midway through the first session and bowling one over before the drinks break.

But he exited the arena at the intermission, with the 32-year-old then heading for scans to get the injury assessed.

Hazlewood missed the Second Test in Adelaide due to a side strain, with Scott Boland his replacement.

Any Hazlewood absence across the final two days of the Gabba Test would be a significant blow for Australia’s hopes of victory, with the Aussies less likely to enforce the follow-on if down one of their bowlers in the rain-affected clash.

Both sides will have a week’s break between the end of the Third Test and the start of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, with Hazlewood now under a significant cloud to feature in the traditional showpiece clash.

Hazlewood suffered a minor calf strain earlier this year, keeping him on the sidelines for T20 internationals against Scotland and England. It was the latest in a series of injury concerns in recent years for the veteran quick.

He featured in just three Tests between the end of January 2021 and the start of June 2023.