Josh Hazelwood unlikely to be available for RCB before April 12 citing personal reasons

Josh Hazelwood unlikely to be available for RCB before April 12 citing personal reasons

Josh Hazelwood

Josh Hazelwood, the Australian pacer, is supposed to be available for Royal Challengers Bangalore after April 6 had he completed his quarantine by now.

But since he hadn’t joined the bio bubble with the RCB team yet, he won’t be available for at least another week and will miss playing RCB’s next match against the Mumbai Indians on April 9. As Josh Hazelwood will take another few days to arrive, he might play RCB’s match against the Chennai Super Kings on April 12.

Josh Hazelwood was part of the Australian squad who went to play the series in Pakistan. He was picked by the RCB franchise for Rs 7.25 crores at the mega-auction. In last year’s IPL, he also helped the Chennai Super Kings win their 4th.

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Josh Hazelwood has taken a short break due to personal reasons, says an IPL source

Josh Hazelwood
Josh Hazelwood and Glenn Maxwell

An IPL source told PTI, “Hazelwood would be joining the team in next couple of days. Unlike others, he didn’t directly link up with his franchise post Pakistan series. He has taken a short break due to personal reasons.”

Another Aussie player, Glenn Maxwell, who hasn’t even with the Aussie squad in Pakistan has missed the first couple of games for RCB. He will not be even available on Tuesday, April 5, between their side’s match against the Rajasthan Royals due to a clause by Cricket Australia for their contracted players. The clause states that Australian contracted players are supposed to play in IPL after April 6. But he will be available for the selection for RCB’s 4th match against the Mumbai Indians on April 9.

Mike Hesson, RCB Director of Cricket Operations said: “It’s pretty clear from a Cricket Australia point of view, no contracted players are available before 6th of April. So, regardless of when they arrive over here, no one can play until the 6th. We’ve been well aware of that as any other side, we’ve planned for that. Maxi will be with us and available from 9th (of April).”

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