Former Indian cricket legend believes the Australian team is under pressure after the defeat, and Hazlewood’s remarks added to the tension.
Former Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar was surprised by Josh Hazlewood’s sudden removal from the second pink-ball Test, especially after his comments following Australia’s loss in Perth.
Gavaskar believes the Australian team is under pressure after the defeat, and Hazlewood’s remarks added to the tension. On Day 3 of the Perth Test, Hazlewood said it was up to the batters to do something, which caused a lot of discussion.
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In his Sportstar column, Gavaskar pointed out that Hazlewood’s comment raised doubts about team unity, with former cricketers and experts questioning if there were issues within the team. After the Perth Test, Hazlewood was ruled out of the second Test due to a side strain, but Gavaskar found it strange that no one noticed anything wrong with Hazlewood during his press conference.
This made the timing of his injury seem odd, and Gavaskar compared it to situations in Indian cricket in the past when players were mysteriously sidelined after causing some stir.
“The panic in the Australian ranks is palpable, what with former players calling for heads to be chopped off and some even hinting at cracks in the Australian team after Josh Hazlewood’s media interview at the end of the third day’s play, where he suggested that it was up to the batters to now do something,” said Gavaskar.
“Now, a few days later, Hazlewood is out of the second Test and possibly the series too with a supposed side strain. Strange, that, since nobody had noticed anything wrong with Hazlewood at that media conference, “Gavaskar added.
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Gavaskar also said that the current situation in the Australian team reminded him of similar incidents in Indian cricket’s history, where pressure from poor results led to changes and tensions within the squad. He noted that such uncertainty is not new to cricket, and it seems to be affecting Australia now. The loss in Perth appears to be creating unease within the team, shown by Hazlewood’s absence and increased focus on the team’s internal issues.
“Mystery, mystery — the like of which used to be common in Indian cricket in the past. Now it’s the Aussies, and like old McDonald, I’m simply loving it,” he further stated.
Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett, both uncapped at Test level, have been added to Australia’s squad for the second Test against India. Scott Boland is expected to replace Josh Hazlewood, who is out with a side strain, in the playing XI.
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