Hazlewood Out With Foot Injury, Three Others Rested

Hazlewood Out With Foot Injury, Three Others Rested

Josh Hazlewood has been sidelined by a foot injury

©REUTERS / Action Images

Josh Hazlewood is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a foot injury while a number of other players are also to be rested following the end of the Test series between Australia and South Africa.

Cricket Australia (CA) are taking no chances with Hazlewood, who suffered a stress fracture to his left foot last season, and after he reported soreness in the same area, he will be rested for a period of four to six weeks.

Michael Clarke, John Hastings and Ben Hilfenhaus have all been made unavailable to play for their Big Bash League teams over the weekend.

Clarke and Hastings have back pains while Hilfenhaus was not fully fit ahead of the final Test in Perth and needs further rest.

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CA Chief Medical Officer Justin Paoloni explained: "John Hastings had some back pain at the completion of the Perth Test. He had scans that have ruled out serious injury.

"He will be reviewed later this week to determine his return to training  and playing. He will miss the first KFC T20 Big Bash League game and possibly be unavailable for selection for the first Vodafone Test versus Sri Lanka in Hobart, depending on how responds to treatment.

"Josh Hazlewood reported some left foot soreness in the same region of his foot where he had a stress fracture last season. Because of his age and history with this type of injury, he will have a short break from bowling for a few weeks and be back playing in approximately 4-6 weeks. "

While the Big Bash League takes over the domestic schedules from 7th December to 19th January, Australia host Sri Lanka for three Tests, five One-Day Internationals and two Twenty20 Internationals from 14th December to 28th January and with players such as Patrick Cummins already long-term absentees due to injury, CA are taking no chances with the fitness of their players.

The squad for the opening Test is to be named tomorrow (6th December). Hastings made his Test debut in Perth against South Africa and Hazlewood was in the squad but not selected.

© Cricket World 2012