Hazlewood in fitness battle

Sydney – Australian pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood said yesterday he was confident of being fit for the World Cup, with scans this week set to determine when he can make a comeback.

The vice-captain missed Australia’s two recent Tests against Sri Lanka with a back injury and has also been ruled out of their upcoming one-day tours against India and Pakistan.

Cricket Australia physiotherapist David Beakley previously said he was suffering an early stage stress fracture, similar to one that sidelined him for six months last year.

Hazlewood told reporters he was targeting World Cup warmup games for his return, and will have a follow-up scan today.

“I think we’ll know a lot more after tomorrow,” he said. “Hopefully it’s going along to plan.”

Australia play their first World Cup group game against Afghanistan on June 1, with three practice matches scheduled at home against New Zealand in May.

Fellow fast bowler Mitchell Starc is also struggling with injury after suffering a “substantial” muscle tear in the final Test against Sri Lanka.

He has been ruled out of the India series, with his availability for Pakistan not yet known. –