Josh Hazlewood in telling update before World Test Championship final

Josh Hazlewood says he's edging closer to full fitness, with vision from the Aussie Test cricket side's England training camp providing a positive update for the injury-ravaged fast bowler. Hazlewood is hoping to prove his fitness in time for next week's World Test Championship final against India - a finale at The Oval that looms as crucial to the Australian side's preparation for the Ashes series.

Hazlewood was under some doubt to make the Aussie squad after flying home from the Indian Premier League early this month with a side issue. Having joined up with teammates at a training camp in Brisbane before flying out to England, the Aussie quick has brushed off concerns around his fitness after insisting he's nearly back to bowling at full tilt.

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The 32-year-old has struggled for consistent time out in the middle and has been limited to just four Tests for Australia since December 2021. However, Hazlewood remains optimistic that by the time the WTC final rolls around against India next week, he will be good to go if selected in the Australian XI.

“My fitness is pretty good; it is just a matter of ticking off every session from here until that date (June 7), basically,” Hazlewood said. “We will probably have anywhere from three to four more sessions – bat versus ball and then a couple of longer days in the nets as well, or centre wicket down in London – so it is just ticking off those last few boxes and pulling up well from every session.

Vision emerged of Hazlewood steaming in towards the wicket, before sending a pacy delivery down during Aussie practice in London. It's undoubtedly an encouraging sign for the Aussie Test side and the 32-year-old quick, who has been a mainstay of the pace attack for years.

Josh Hazlewood edging closer to full fitness

“It was pretty close (to full pace today). I came down for a little bowl yesterday, just to loosen up and to get a bit more out of today’s session, so it is feeling good," Hazlewood said about the training session. “After a long few travel days, it is always a case of the first one getting the cobwebs out and stretching out and doing some run-throughs, just to get the blood flowing.

“It is always good to get the first one out of the way and when we get to London we will steam in.” Hazlewood is one of four specialist fast bowlers in the Aussie squad for the WTC final, which gets underway on June 7 at The Oval. The other members of Australia's pace attack include skipper Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland, with all-rounder Cameron Green offering the side another pace option.

Hazlewood admits that while he would love to be involved in the WTC final, as well as the five Ashes Tests that follow hot on the heels, he accepts that rotation is likely to play a big part as Australia looks to claim its first series victory in England since 2001. Considering his own injury history and the taxing nature of the cricket schedule for most of the Aussie players, Hazlewood says he won't be fazed if he doesn't play in every Test, with all the fast bowlers expected to have a role to play in England.

“If you asked that question three years ago, I probably would have said I would have liked to play all six (Tests), but it is just different now,” Hazlewood said. “It is just so tightly consumed together now and coming off not an ideal build up... but we have got enough quicks here and a couple of others playing County cricket to cover all bases.

“Pat (Cummins) is perhaps looking at (playing) all six, potentially depending how much we bowl in each, so you play it by ear a little bit. It is such a dense schedule; it is tough.”

with AAP

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