IPL 2023: RCB’s Reece Topley ruled out for season; Josh Hazelwood likely to make comeback against CSK
Royal Challengers Bangalore batting coach Sanjay Bangar said that Reece Topley has returned to England and is ruled out of the ongoing Indian Premier League 2023. he also informed that Josh Hazelwood will join the camp April 14 and is like to be available for selection for RCB’s clash against Chennai Super Kings.
Bangar was speaking on the sidelines of the side’s clash against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens. Topley had dislocated his right shoulder while fielding during their match against Mumbai Indians. On the other hand, Hazelwood who has been suffering from an injury to his Achilles heel is set to make his comeback.
“Everything is ticking along according to plan, so I’ll be heading over on the 14th (of April) depending on how the next two weeks go,” Hazlewood was quoted as saying The Age earlier in the week.
“I probably won’t be quite ready to go right then, but (after) another week in India to touch things up skills wise I should be ready to go hopefully.”
Hazlewood, who had to opt out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India, is hoping to get ready for the Ashes via the IPL.
“You don’t need a lot of workload for T20. It’s more just ticking off those boxes of getting up to speed and pushing back in the run-up. I’m probably only going to need to do one or two sessions at full pace and then I’m probably good to play.
“T20 is a lot different to Test and even one-day cricket. You only need 20 balls at full pace and that’s pretty close to a game, which is a good thing,” he said.
The 32-year-old pacer, however, is still awaiting medical clearance from Cricket Australia before departing for India. The side also lost Rajat Patidar’s services for the rest of the season.
