'We don't think about it': Josh Hazlewood reacts to Kagiso Rabada's injury ahead of Australia's tour of South Africa
'We don't think about it': Josh Hazlewood reacts to Kagiso Rabada's injury ahead of Australia's tour of South Africa originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Kagiso Rabada is in a race to be fit for South Africa's three-Test series against Australia following a hamstring injury.Josh Hazlewood admitted Australia would prefer not to face Rabada, but he hopes the pacer recovers soon.Hazlewood plans to manage his workload across upcoming white-ball tours to build fitness for the series.AdvertisementKagiso Rabada's presence remains doubtful for upcoming Test seriesKagiso Rabada's potential absence from South Africa's upcoming three-Test series against Australia is a major complication for the hosts' WTC defence. The pacer has already been ruled out of September's three-match ODI series with a right hamstring strain, leaving his availability for the red-ball leg in October uncertain.The injury, sustained during domestic training with the Lions, leaves Cricket South Africa's medical staff monitoring his condition before making any call ahead of the first Test in Durban on October 9.Rabada's excellent record against Australia underlines the scale of the void South Africa would need to fill. With 58 wickets in 11 Tests at an average of 21.39, he was a big reason behind South Africa's win last year. Australia, and especially Josh Hazlewood, however, are refusing to count on his absence.AdvertisementMORE: India's selectors could pick Krunal Pandya for Afghanistan T20I series after impressive IPL campaignHazlewood on Rabada's fitness and Australia's preparationSpeaking ahead of Australia's upcoming commitments, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood remained honest in his take on Rabada. The Aussie fast bowler made it clear that while Rabada's absence would be great for his side's top order, he still hopes the fellow quick makes a recovery.Hazlewood was to point out just how deadly the South African has been for the side. "We don't know exactly how bad the hamstring is," Hazlewood noted. "He seems to recover from any sort of niggle pretty quickly. He's an unbelievable athlete. So I guess we don't think about it too much this far out."AdvertisementThe Australian quick was equally direct about how his own team's batters would view the situation if Rabada failed to prove his fitness in time. "Things will become clearer as we get closer," Hazlewood added. "But I'm sure the batters will rather face someone else than KG."But while South Africa are hoping for a miraculous recovery, Hazlewood is focused on maintaining his own fitness ahead of the game. So far it seems to be working after the fast bowler scalped seven wickets in Australia's loss at the first test in Darwin against Bangladesh.It was Hazlewood's first game in the longest format following a nearly year-long absence due to injuries. While his seven wickets might have come in a losing cause, it was enough to push him past the 300-wicket mark in Tests.MORE: Namibia's biggest upset wins in international cricketAdvertisementWhy can Rabada's availability make or break South Africa?Rabada's fitness is the single biggest variable hanging over the upcoming series. In home conditions, his ability to extract steep bounce and strike early with the new ball provides South Africa with the structural control needed to dismantle visiting batting lineups.Take him out of the equation, and the burden shifts heavily onto an inexperienced secondary seam attack against a settled Australian top order. Hazlewood's comments capture the realistic view inside the dressing room.The Aussies are sure to welcome any scenario that spares them facing Rabada at Kingsmead. But preparing for his inclusion remains the only sensible approach. Should Rabada fail to recover in time, South Africa's title defence becomes considerably more precarious before a ball is even bowled.Advertisement
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