With the third Test of the ongoing Ashes set to begin on July 6 at Headingley, Australia skipper Pat Cummins opened up about the risk of asking Josh Hazlewood to play three consecutive games. The visitors have clinched the first two Tests and are one win away to retain the prestigious urn.
Notably, Hazlewood's appearance at Lord's marked the first time he had played consecutive Tests since a series of injuries in 2020-21. Meanwhile, Todd Murphy might be a possible addition to the playing XI after the experienced off-spinner Nathan Lyon was ruled out of the remainder of the five-match series due to injury.
Cummins reckoned that Hazlewood would be the obvious one they'd be a bit more careful of, coming to play the third Test. The 30-year-old also stated that the tour has gone well for Hazlewood with no injuries, but he has been in ‘uncharted territory’ for the last couple of years.
"He'd be the obvious one you'd be a bit more careful of. The tour so far for him has gone as well as he could have hoped - no injuries, but he is kind of uncharted territory for the last year or two,” Cummins was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
The third Test is obviously a huge match, but there are three matches to come: Cummins
Cummins went on to say that the participation of Hazlewood in the third Test match will be discussed by the team. He noted that the 32-year-old pacer has bowled more than 25 overs, but the team will analyse his performance in the previous two, and how he's tracking, and they'll work accordingly. He did admit that the third Test match is a big one, and the squad does not want to put anyone at greater risk.
"I think there will be some conversation around that. I think he bowled 25 and 35 [25 and 31], which isn't extreme numbers, but again you weigh up this game versus the last two, how he's tracking so we'll work through that. It's a quick turnaround. It's obviously a huge match, but there are three matches to come. So you don't want to put anyone in high risk than you'd like knowing that there's a couple of fresh guys on the bench that come straight in,” the Aussie skipper added.
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