Josh Hazlewood will not be available for the initial stages of IPL 2023 as he continues to recover from an injury. The Australian pacer, who is currently in Sydney, will consult with Cricket Australia’s medical staff before joining Royal Challengers Bangalore for the 16th edition of the T20 league.
Hazlewood, who was picked up by RCB for INR 7.75 Crore, was sent back home midway during the Test series against India as he was recovering from Achilles tendinitis, having picked up the injury during Australia’s home summer. While he played in the third Test against South Africa in January, he missed all the four Tests against India and also the three ODIs that followed.
With Australia set to play the World Test Championship final and the Ashes shortly after the conclusion of the IPL, Hazlewood’s fitness will be top priority for CA, who will monitor the 32-year old pacer closely.
Meanwhile, Glenn Maxwell is uncertain to feature in RCB’s opening match against Mumbai Indians on April 2 as he continues to recover from a leg injury he sustained in a freak accident at a birthday party in November. Maxwell played the opening ODI against India but missed the subsequent matches
