Josh Hazlewood ruled out of T20 World Cup in huge blow to Australia's campaign
Updated . First published at
Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup in a major blow to Australia's hopes of winning the tournament in Sri Lanka and India.
The plan was for the veteran fast bowler to return by the super eights stage of the ICC event after a summer ruined by hamstring and Achilles issues, but Cricket Australia said in a statement on Friday that he had run out of time to get fit.
Consequently, Australia will play a World Cup with none of its three superstar quicks — Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc — for the first time since 2011.
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CA said it would not immediately name a replacement for Hazlewood.
There are currently only two fit specialist quicks in the Australian squad in Ben Dwarshius and Xavier Bartlett, although Sean Abbott is a travelling reserve and could eventually replace Hazlewood in the squad.
The other mainline paceman in the squad, Nathan Ellis, is faring well in his recovery from a hamstring injury but is seemingly in doubt to feature next Wednesday in Australia's tournament-opening match.
Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood. Getty
Cummins withdrew from the World Cup squad last week due to a back issue that limited him to just one Test of the Ashes series, while Starc retired from T20 international cricket last September.
Hazlewood, who turned 35 in January, hasn't played a match of any kind since straining a hamstring in a Sheffield Shield game in early November.
Hamstring and Achilles problems sidelined him for the entirety of the Ashes series, won by Australia 4-1.
"We were hopeful Josh would be back to match fitness by the super eight stage but the latest indications [suggest] he is still some time away and accelerating his program will carry too much risk," said CA selector Tony Dodemaide.
"We will not be naming a replacement player immediately. We feel we are well covered for the initial games so will make any later decisions based on priority need at the time."
Australia, captained by Mitch Marsh, will begin its World Cup campaign against Ireland in Colombo next Wednesday.
The Australians were belted by Pakistan 3-0 in a lead-up series, before a practice match against the Netherlands scheduled for Thursday was washed out without a ball being bowled.
