Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Test against India in a major blow to Australia’s hopes of rebounding in Adelaide.
Hazlewood, the best of Australia’s fast bowlers in Perth, has been ruled out of the day-night Test starting on Friday due to what Cricket Australia says is a “low-grade left side injury”.
Josh Hazlewood during the first Test in Perth.Credit: Getty Images
Victorian cult hero Scott Boland is likely to come into the XI, having been named in the initial squad. Boland is set to play for a Prime Minister’s XI against India on Saturday in a pink ball match at Manuka Oval if wet weather clears.
Uncapped seamers Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett have been called into the Australian squad as cover. It comes just days after all-rounder Beau Webster was added to the squad as cover for Mitch Marsh, who pulled up sore after bowling 17 overs during Australia’s 295-run loss to India in the opening match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
CA said Hazlewood will remain with the team in Adelaide to prepare for the remainder of the series.
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News of Hazlewood’s injury is a major blow for the home side, particularly given he took 5-8 in five overs during the Adelaide Test of 2020 as India were bowled out for 36.
The 33-year-old returned match figures of 5-57 in Perth. CA has not confirmed when Hazlewood is likely to return, but given the Adelaide and Brisbane Tests are back-to-back, there is a chance he might not be right to go until the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. The third Test in Brisbane starts on December 14.
Boland has not played a Test since the third match of last year’s Ashes series when he went wicketless and conceded 84 runs.