Australia’s injured fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has his eyes set on making his return in time to feature for his country in the 2019 Cricket World Cup taking place in England and Wales.

Hazlewood has been on the recovery trail since exacerbating a back stress fracture during the Sydney Test against India this January that originally had him sidelined for six months in 2018. Scans on Friday will determine when the paceman can make his return, with the World Cup being his primary target.

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Australia’s vice-captain has already missed two Test matches against Sri Lanka and has been ruled out of taking part in the upcoming ODIs against India and Pakistan in India and the UAE.

‘I think we’ll know a lot more after tomorrow, to be honest. Hopefully, in the coming weeks we’ll start working through it,’ Hazlewood said.

‘It’s going along to plan. Everything feels fine, so training’s coming along nicely, progressing every week. I think we’ll just work back from the World Cup really and make sure everything’s right for that, which gives me plenty of time.’

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The defending champions will play three practice matches against New Zealand in Brisbane before facing England and Sri Lanka in official warm-up matches in the buildup to the title defense in England and Wales in May.

‘I haven’t played too much one-day cricket in the last 12 to 18 months, which is a bit frustrating, a bit of a shame,’ added Hazlewood. ‘We’ve got three games in Brisbane in May against New Zealand, and then three in England once we get over there. That’s quite enough to be ready, I think, so I’ll be happy with where I’m at.’

Photo: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images