Australia suffered a major setback on the fourth day of the third Test between India and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane when fast bowler Josh Hazlewood suffered a calf strain during the warm-up.
Hazlewood is likely to be ruled out of the remaining two Tests due to injury. His place is likely to be taken by Scott Boland for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
Australian assistant coach Daniel Vettori, speaking to reporters after the day’s play, said the continuous rain interruption had helped the team cope with Hazlewood’s absence.
“Obviously, Hazlewood is the best bowler in the world, so that affects the team. I think the weather allowed us to work in terms of breaks. It enabled Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins to come back on a number of occasions, whereas if we had played the full 90 overs it would have been very difficult to manage, and obviously we always have the luxury of Nathan (Lyon). ) and he has the ability to bowl a lot of overs. That eased the anxiety a bit, but it’s always difficult to get a world-class bowler out,’ Vettori said.
He added that the Australians would have enforced the follow-on, had India fallen short in points.
“I think the only way to force the game was to force the follow-on, so I think it was a desperation to get that last wicket, and we thought we had a really good chance when Jadeja got out, but a real fighting partnership. From Bumrah actually! “
Speaking about Hazlewood’s mood, Vettori said: “He’s very disappointed. Coming back from another injury with a side strain from the last Test and trying so hard and then picking up a calf injury here, especially in these conditions, it was really difficult for him.
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