WTC Final | 'IPL Is Through The Roof...': Josh Hazlewood On His Latest Injury

image-liiharquJosh Hazlewood will miss ICC WTC Final 2023 [Twitter]

Australia were dealt with a massive blow ahead of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 against India with star pacer Josh Hazlewood being ruled of the marquee encounter due to an injury. The WTC Final 2023 will be played on June 7 at The Oval, where both teams will lock horns for Test supremacy. 

Australian management have replaced Hazlewood with pacer Michael Neser, who in limited chances has impressed with the red ball. The past year has been rough for Hazlewood, who missed the India tour due to an Achilles injury, and managed to play just four Indian Premier League (IPL) matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

As quoted by The West Australian, the 32-year-old bowler pinned blame on workload as a major factor for his recent injuries, while explaining how bowling in T20s puts more strain on the body than Test cricket. 

Here's what Hazlewood said

"I am not playing Test matches, but I am still bowling for close to 50 weeks of the year. Just bowling in the past week or so here in England, it feels a bit easier. You have a nice Dukes ball, there is a bit doing, you don’t have to break your back every ball like you do in India or Australia or somewhere else. Hopefully, that plays into my hands a little bit."

"After a long break, the intensity of the IPL is through the roof. You’re bowling wide yorker there, wide yorker to the other side, slower-ball, bouncer. Your body just gets in some bad positions technical-wise. I just felt a bit of crunching in my side, and I am very cautious with it."

Australia will be hopeful about Hazlewood's recovery, who is racing against time to regain full fitness for the much-hyped 'The Ashes 2023' that starts June 16.  The lanky-pacer has scalped 36 wickets in eight Tests in England.