Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has shared positive news about his rehabilitation progress. He aims to make a comeback just before the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 begins in the subcontinent on February 7.
Injury Setbacks and Recovery Timeline
Hazlewood, a crucial part of Australia's bowling attack in recent years, faced multiple injury challenges. The right-arm pacer first suffered a hamstring strain that kept him out at the start of the Ashes series. During his recovery period, he then sustained an Achilles injury that further delayed his return to cricket.
These injuries mean Hazlewood will miss the final stages of the Big Bash League. He will also be unavailable for the T20 International series against Pakistan scheduled for late January. However, the fast bowler has set his sights on participating in a warm-up match ahead of the World Cup early next month.
Steady Progress in Rehabilitation
Hazlewood explained that the extended recovery period has actually benefited his rehabilitation process. He has been able to progress steadily without rushing his return. The bowler has resumed light bowling sessions and running exercises while continuing his strength training program.
"Everything is going to plan," Hazlewood told ESPNcricinfo. "We took a few extra weeks once we could not make the Tests. I had a couple of bowls off the half run last week. Running is going well, all the strength stuff is going well, so yeah, on track."
Recent Performance and Form
Before his injury, Hazlewood was displaying excellent form during Australia's white-ball series against India in October last year. His performance statistics demonstrate his effectiveness:
- In three ODI matches, he took three wickets while conceding just 72 runs
- During three T20 matches, he claimed three wickets while giving away only 37 runs across 12 overs
This consistent performance highlighted his importance to the Australian bowling attack in limited-overs cricket.
Australia's World Cup Prospects
Australia remains one of the strong contenders for the T20 World Cup title. The team previously won the tournament in 2021 under Aaron Finch's captaincy. However, their 2024 campaign ended disappointingly when they failed to reach the semi-finals after losing to Afghanistan in the quarter-final.
The current Australian squad, led by Mitchell Marsh, finds itself in Group B for the upcoming tournament. Their group stage opponents include:
- Ireland
- Oman
- Sri Lanka
- Zimbabwe
Australia will play all their group matches in Sri Lanka. Their campaign begins on February 11 with a match against Ireland in Colombo.
Hazlewood's potential return would significantly strengthen Australia's bowling lineup as they pursue another T20 World Cup championship. His experience and recent form make him a valuable asset for the team's campaign in the subcontinent conditions.
