Test paceman to sit out Sheffield Shield opener but recovery remains on track for Ashes series
Hazlewood to miss Shield first round
Josh Hazlewood will skip NSW's JLT Sheffield Shield opener but the star paceman is adamant he will be cherry ripe for the first Ashes Test.
Hazlewood, who is recovering from a side strain, has been a near-constant presence in Australia's bowling attack in recent years.
Before returning home from the tour of Bangladesh, the reliable right-armer had played every Test since the 2015 Ashes in England.
But Hazlewood is suddenly the least-fit member of the pace attack. Mitchell Starc has returned successfully from his foot injury during the JLT One-Day Cup, while Pat Cummins has gone from strength to strength this year.
Hazlewood will miss the Blues' day-night clash later this month at Adelaide Oval.
He plans on playing rounds two and three of the Shield season before the five-Test series against England starts on November 23 in Brisbane.
"The side is really good. I've been off the full run the last three or four sessions, so getting back to 100 per cent. I'm probably about 85-90 per cent," Hazlewood said on Tuesday at ASICS' season launch.
"The timing was a bit unfortunate but it's given me a chance to freshen up and get some good work in the gym and on the running track.
"I'm feeling nice and fit.
"It'll be good to put everything together in club cricket - bowl 10-12 overs; field for a couple of hours."
Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle were put on ice during the final Shield round before the 2013-14 Ashes, a decision that helped them play all five Tests during the 5-0 belting.
"You'd much rather play one or two (games), I guess, then freshen up in that third week," Hazlewood admitted.
"But you can always just bowl a little bit less at training in those days leading into the Test.
"There's still a decent enough gap there."
Hazlewood has already picked the brains of Johnson, Harris and Siddle. The trio were all instrumental in the lopsided series that unfolded four years ago.
"It wasn't just all about Mitch. He obviously got the rewards but, on any other day, Ryno could have got the 30-odd wickets," he said.
"Gaz (offspinner Nathan Lyon) is obviously going to be key in that talk as well.
"Hopefully, we can mirror that ... keep that pressure building."
2017-18 International Fixtures:
Magellan Ashes Series
First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets
Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets
Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets
Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets
Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets
ODI Series v England
First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets
Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets
Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets
Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets
Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF
Prime Minister's XI
PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets
T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series
First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets
Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets
Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets
Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 13
Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16
Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18
Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21