Australian coach Justin Langer has all but ruled Josh Hazlewood out of an Ashes return, revealing it is unlikely the paceman will feature in the fifth and final Hobart Test.
Hazlewood suffered a side strain injury during the first Test in Brisbane, creating an opportunity for Scott Boland and Michael Neser to excel in his place.
When asked tonight if Hazlewood would again be left out of Australia’s XI for the final Test, Langer said, “at this stage, it is looking like that.”
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“It’s been really tough on him, he has been really hanging out to play in this Ashes series like everyone.
“He has missed three games, so to have one of our premier fast bowlers out of the series, I guess it is a bit like England missing one of their premier fast bowlers.
“At this stage, if I was a guessing man I’d say that he probably won’t play the next Test match but we will wait and see.”
Hazlewood may be rested to preserve his fitness for the ODIs against New Zealand, starting later this month.
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