Josh Hazlewood confident of fitness for T20 World Cup 2026 opener despite hamstring and Achilles injuries. Australia pacer targets warm-up match return.
Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood has given fans a positive update on his fitness, stating that he is on track to be ready for the T20 World Cup 2026 opener in Sri Lanka. Hazlewood missed the Ashes due to a hamstring strain and subsequent Achilles issues but is now targeting a warm-up match to regain full match readiness.
Josh Hazlewood’s Injury Timeline
The fast bowler’s summer was disrupted by injuries, beginning with a hamstring strain that sidelined him from key fixtures. While rehabbing, an Achilles problem emerged, delaying his return further. As a result, Hazlewood will skip the latter stages of the Big Bash League for Sydney Sixers and will also sit out Australia’s T20I series against Pakistan in late January.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Hazlewood said, “Everything’s going to plan. We took a few extra weeks once we couldn’t make the Test matches. I had a couple of bowls off the half-run last week. Running’s going well, all the strength stuff’s going well, so yeah, on track.”
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T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule
Australia will kick off their World Cup campaign against Ireland on February 11, giving Hazlewood enough time to prepare. Selectors have confirmed that management may limit workloads for key bowlers, with Pat Cummins possibly being rested if required, but Hazlewood appears to be a full-go for the opener.
Managing Recurring Injuries
Josh Hazlewood acknowledged that injuries have interrupted his career since 2020–21, with only one uninterrupted home season. He attributed the hamstring strain to bad luck and explained the Achilles issue as part of a long-standing ankle niggle.
“Sometimes, when one thing goes, the other thing resurfaces. But it [the ankle] was probably another thing I’d been just managing over the last few years, and then it just creeps up,” Hazlewood said.
He added that the Australian support staff are reviewing his bowling workload to prevent future injuries, considering strategies such as bowling two to three consecutive days followed by four to five days off for recovery.
What This Means for Australia
Josh Hazlewood’s return is crucial for Australia’s fast-bowling attack, especially in conditions like Sri Lanka where pace and swing can make a decisive impact. His experience in both red-ball and white-ball formats makes him a key asset as Australia eyes a strong performance in the T20 World Cup 2026.
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