The Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 due to a left-side strain. Cricket Australia has brought in two uncapped fast bowlers, Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett for the series against India.
In an official statement, cricket Australia said, “Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the match with a low-grade left side injury.”
“Hazlewood will remain with the group in Adelaide to prepare for the remainder of the series.”
Hazlewood has been performing well. In the first innings of the Perth Test, he took four wickets, giving away only 29 runs in 13 overs. This helped Australia bowl India out for 150 runs. In the second innings, he got one wicket but bowled very economically, allowing just 28 runs in 21 overs, including nine overs without giving any runs.
Who Will Take Josh Hazlewood Place?
With Hazlewood out, Scott Boland is likely to play in the pink-ball Test on December 6 at Adelaide Oval. Boland is now leading the bowling for the Prime Minister’s XI in a two-day warm-up match against India at Manuka Oval in Canberra. The 35-year-old has played two Tests against India and taken five wickets. His last Test in Adelaide was in 2022 against the West Indies, where he took three wickets for 45 runs.
Captain Pat Cummins announced that the Australian team will arrive in Adelaide a day early to prepare for the second Test after their heavy 295-run loss in the first match of the series.
The previous pink-ball Test between India and Australia in Adelaide saw India being dismissed for just 36 runs, their lowest score in history. Hazlewood shone with the ball, taking five wickets.
Australia’s updated squad for the second Test
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster, Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett
