Hazlewood remains in contention for WTC final

By: Scott Bailey Time published 2023-05-29 at 01:01 AM (GMT +10:00)

Cricket Australia have indicated Josh Hazlewood is still a chance to face India in the World Test Championship final, naming him in their 15-man squad.

JOSH HAZLEWOOD of Australia celebrates after taking a wicket during the Fourth Test match in the series between Australia and India at SCG in Sydney, Australia.
JOSH HAZLEWOOD of Australia celebrates after taking a wicket during the Fourth Test match in the series between Australia and India at SCG in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Josh Hazlewood remains a chance to play in the World Test Championship final after Australia included the seamer in the 15-man squad to face India.

Under ICC regulations, Australia were forced to cut their 17-man squad for the first half of the England tour down to 15 for the Championship final on June 7 at the Oval.

Hazlewood had been under some doubt to make the squad, after he flew home from the Indian Premier League early this month with a side issue.

However, Australia still consider him some chance to play and have included him in the group along with fellow quicks Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland.

Hazlewood's inclusion means there was no need for selectors to bring Michael Neser or Sean Abbott into the squad as cover, with both still able to train with the team in the lead up.

Neser had loomed as a genuine option, having shown great form for Glamorgan in county cricket this year.

In comparison, Hazlewood has struggled for consistent time on the field and has been limited to four Tests for Australia since December 2021.

Mitch Marsh and Matt Renshaw are the two men to not be named in the 15-man squad for the ICC event.

Both will still be available for selection for the Ashes Test at Edgbaston on June 16,

Regardless, Renshaw's omission is also the strongest indication yet that Marcus Harris is the preferred back-up option for the top of the order if the under-pressure David Warner does not survive the tour.

India's squad remains unchanged from the one that was named by the No.2-ranked side in the world last month.

SQUADS FOR THE WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL:

AUSTRALIA: Pat Cummins (capt), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.

INDIA: Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Ishan Kishan.