WTC 2021-23

‘Bas aise hee Starc gayab ho jata’ – Fans abuzz as Josh Hazlewood is set to miss WTC Final against India

The WTC final between India and Australia will be played at the Oval between June 7-11, 2023

Jun 4, 2023 6:54 pm

Australia is getting ready for the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final against Team India at the Oval in London, which runs from June 7–11. But before this titanic match, they suffered a serious setback when Josh Hazlewood’s continued Achilles and side problems caused him to be disqualified from the final.

Now that Michael Neser has been added to the team by Australia as a replacement, the World Test Championship Final’s Event Technical Committee has now given its approval. But now that Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins have been added, the Australians may consider making Scott Boland the third pacer in the starting XI. Fans expressed their opinions on social media after hearing that news.

‘Michael Neser is a great strength to have as part of the fast-bowling group’ – George Bailey

Regarding this injury, Chair of Selectors George Bailey opined, “Josh was very, very close to being given the green light but we are cognisant that our upcoming schedule means this is not a one-off Test match of us. Michael’s County form has been strong and knowing that he was going to be close by allowed for him to keep playing and for us to be able to call on him. He is a great strength to have as part of the fast-bowling group. This will give Josh an ideal preparation leading into Edgbaston. With six Test matches in a little over seven weeks, we will need all of our fast-bowling assets.”

Australia is still optimistic that Josh Hazlewood will be ready for the opening Ashes Test, which begins on June 16. Michael Neser, meantime, has had a blast competing for Glamorgan in England’s Country Championship. In five games, he recorded 19 wickets and even hit a century against Sussex. He has only played in two Test matches thus far.

Updated Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, and David Warner.

Standby players: Mitchell Marsh, and Matthew Renshaw.

Here’s how fans reacted: