Josh Hazlewood Ruled Out of WTC Final, Michael Neser Called Up as Australia Faces India
Australia’s hopes of winning the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) final against India have suffered a blow as their leading fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the match due to an injury. Hazlewood, who has taken 212 wickets in 59 Tests at an average of 25.65, was suffering from an Achilles and side problem that he picked up during the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year. He had to cut short his stint with the Royal Challengers Bangalore and return home for treatment.
Hazlewood’s replacement
The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed on Sunday that Australia have named all-rounder Michael Neser as Hazlewood’s replacement for the WTC final, which will begin at The Kia Oval in London on Wednesday. Neser, who is 33 years old, has played only two Tests and two ODIs for Australia so far, but he has been in impressive form for Glamorgan in the English County Championship this season. He has taken 19 wickets in five matches at an average of 20.68 and also scored a century against Sussex, where he faced his Australian teammate Steve Smith.
Australia’s pace attack
Hazlewood’s absence will leave a big gap in Australia’s pace attack, which is led by Pat Cummins, the world’s number-one-ranked Test bowler. Cummins will be supported by Mitchell Starc, who has 255 wickets in 67 Tests at an average of 26.97, and Scott Boland, who has been a revelation since his Test debut in December last year. Boland has taken 28 wickets in seven Tests at a staggering average of 13.42 and was named the player of the series against England earlier this year. Neser will compete with Boland for the third seamer’s spot in the WTC final.
🚨 JUST IN: Setback for Australia as star quick is ruled out of #WTC23 Final against India!
— ICC (@ICC) June 4, 2023
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The WTC final
The WTC final is the culmination of a two-year cycle of Test cricket that began in August 2019 and involved nine teams playing six series each. Australia and India finished as the top two teams on the points table and qualified for the final, which will be played over six days with a reserve day in case of bad weather. The winner will receive $1.6 million and a mace trophy, while the runner-up will get $800,000. The match will also have an impact on the ICC Test rankings, as Australia are currently second behind New Zealand and India are third.
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The Ashes series
Australia will also have one eye on the Ashes series against England, which will start just a week after the WTC final. The five-Test series will begin at Edgbaston on June 16 and end at The Oval on July 18. Australia are the defending champions, having retained the urn after a 2-2 draw in England in 2019. They will be hoping that Hazlewood recovers in time to join their pace attack for the Ashes, as he has been one of their most consistent performers in recent years. He has taken 48 wickets in 11 Tests against England at an average of 25.27 and was instrumental in Australia’s 4-0 win at home in 2017-18.
