Wednesday 18 October 2017 11:50, UK
Australia paceman Josh Hazlewood has confirmed he is behind schedule in his recovery from the side strain he suffered in Bangladesh and will miss the opening round of matches in the Sheffield Shield.
The 26-year-old picked up the injury on day three of the first Test against Bangladesh in August and was subsequently ruled out of Australia's limited-overs tour to India.
While the seamer should be back for the next two rounds of fixtures that come before the first Ashes Test in Brisbane, a lack of playing time before the sides renew hostilities at the Gabba will be a concern for the Australia selectors, especially with James Pattinson already ruled out of the series with a back injury and Mitchell Starc also returning after a foot injury.
"You'd much rather play one or two (games), I guess, then freshen up in that third week," Hazlewood said.
"But you can always just bowl a little bit less at training in those days leading into the Test. There's still a decent enough gap there."
"The side is really good," he added. "I've been off the full run the last three or four sessions, so getting back to 100 per cent. I'm probably about 85-90 per cent.
The timing was a bit unfortunate but it's given me a chance to freshen up and get some good work in the gym and on the running track. I'm feeling nice and fit.
"It'll be good to put everything together in club cricket - bowl 10-12 overs; field for a couple of hours."
The last time the two sides met in Australia it was the hosts that dominated with paceman Mitchell Johnson bagging 37-wicket series haul as the Aussies romped to a 5-0 Ashes win in 2013/14.
And Hazlewood insists the balance of Australia's attack was all-important in that series win with Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle and Nathan Lyon all playing their part, and that balance is something the seamer is hoping the current attack can emulate.
"It wasn't just all about Mitch [Johnson]," Hazelwood said. "He obviously got the rewards but, on any other day, Ryno [Ryan Harris] could have got the 30-odd wickets.
"Gaz [Nathan Lyon] is obviously going to be key in that talk as well. Hopefully, we can mirror that ... keep that pressure building."
