Setback for Australia as Josh Hazlewood ruled out of WTC final against India

Australia suffered a significant setback on Sunday after it was announced that fast bowler Josh Hazlewood had been ruled out of the World Test Championship final against India.

Hazlewood was expected to lead a strong Australian pace attack that also includes captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc in the title match at The Oval in London that starts on Wednesday.

However, his fitness was a concern as the right-arm quick had left the Indian Premier League early after complaining of “minor side soreness”.

Cricket Australia announced that Hazlewood is still managing a left Achilles issue as well as the side injury, and so won’t play against India.

The 32-year-old was replaced by Michael Neser in their 15-man squad. However, in-form pacer Scott Boland is likely to be Australia’s third fast bowler alongside Cummins and Starc.

“Josh was very, very close to being given the green light but we are cognisant that our upcoming schedule means this is not a one-off Test match for us,” chief of selectors George Bailey said.

New Zealand’s captain Kane Williamson with the Test mace after defeating India in the World Test Championship final in Southampton. AFP

Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson guided New Zealand to victory in World Test Championship final against India in Southampton on Wednesday, June 23. Getty

New Zealand’s captain Kane Williamson guided his team to victory on day six of the World Test Championship final at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. AFP

India fans in the stands cheer their team in Southampton. PA

India’s Ravichandran Ashwin, left, and teammates celebrate the dismissal of New Zealand’s Devon Conway. AP

India’s Mohammed Shami, left, reacts in Southampton on Wednesday .AP

New Zealand’s Tim Southee, left, celebrates with teammates the dismissal of India’s Mohammed Shami. AP

New Zealand’s Ross Taylor takes a catch to dismiss India’s Ravichandran Ashwin off the bowling of Trent Boult. Reuters

Trent Boult picked up three wickets in the second innings. Getty

New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson, right, celebrates the dismissal of India’s captain Virat Kohli. AP

“This will give Josh an ideal preparation leading into Edgbaston,” Bailey said referring to the five-match Ashes series against England that begins on June 16.

“With six Test matches in a little over seven weeks we will need all of our fast bowling assets.”

Coach Andrew McDonald said the short turnaround between the WTC final and the Ashes series forced the team to make the decision.

“We’ve got the WTC final to play, which we are excited about, but on the back of that we have to quickly turn our attention to England and the Ashes,” McDonald said.

“So there’ll always be considerations around management … I’d say there’d be some moving parts amongst the quicks.”

Hazlewood has played just four Tests in the past three years due to a series of injuries.

Speaking on Saturday about the close proximity of the India decider and the first Ashes Test, Hazlewood said: “It’s probably one or the other for me at this stage.

“Just being over here for the last week and bowling in England, it does feel a lot easier on the body compared to Australia or India where it can be hot, the wickets are really hard and you’ve got to bend your back to get something out of them.

“In England it feels like you can just take that couple of per cent off, bowl a bit within yourself and the wicket does enough for you.”

India too will be without a front-line pacer. Jasprit Bumrah has been sidelined for a considerable period due to a persistent back problem, which has weakened the pace attack. Mohammad Shami and Mohammad Siraj are expected to lead the bowling.

On the batting front, Rohit Sharma will be without the services of wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who is still sidelined following a serious road accident, and KL Rahul, who is recovering from injury.