In a major blow to Australia’s hopes of leveling the series against India, premier fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Test starting in Adelaide on December 6th. The 33-year-old, who was Australia’s standout bowler in the first Test loss in Perth, complained of soreness in his left side after the match.
According to a team spokesperson, while the injury is not thought to be severe, the medical staff did not want to risk aggravating it given the short turnaround between the next two Tests. Hazlewood will remain with the squad to continue his rehabilitation with an eye on returning for the third Test in Brisbane.
Boland the Frontrunner to Replace Hazlewood
With Hazlewood unavailable, Scott Boland appears set to play his first Test since last year’s Ashes series against England. The 35-year-old Victorian was impressive in that series, consistently hitting a nagging line and length. However, he has only played two first-class matches this summer on return from a foot injury.
Boland will have a chance to prove his match fitness when he takes the field for the Prime Minister’s XI in a tour match against India this weekend at Manuka Oval in Canberra, weather permitting.
Australia’s Fast Bowling Depth Tested
The Australian selectors have also added uncapped New South Wales seamer Sean Abbott and Queensland’s Brendan Doggett to the squad as cover. Abbott has been on the fringes of Test selection for some time, impressing in the Sheffield Shield this season with 13 wickets at 19.84.
Doggett, meanwhile, has had a meteoric rise. The 30-year-old was a late call-up to the Australia A squad but made the most of his chance, taking 6 for 15 in a match against India A in Mackay. With only three days between the Adelaide and Brisbane Tests, either Abbott or Doggett could be in line for a debut if any of the other quicks pull up sore.
“It’s unfortunate for Josh, who has been outstanding for us this year. But it provides an opportunity for someone else to step up in his absence. We have great confidence in Scott and our fast bowling depth.”
– A source close to the team management
Marsh’s Fitness Also Under a Cloud
Hazlewood’s injury is the latest in a series of setbacks for Australia, who are also sweating on the fitness of allrounder Mitch Marsh. Marsh is nursing a sore ankle and his availability for Adelaide remains uncertain.
Tasmania’s Beau Webster has been drafted into the squad as cover for Marsh. Even if the allrounder proves his fitness for the second Test, Webster is likely to remain with the squad for the Brisbane Test given the quick turnaround.
- Australia trail 0-1 in the five-match series after an innings defeat in Perth
- The second Test is a day-night affair in Adelaide starting December 6th
- The last time Australia came from 0-1 down to win a series was in 1997 against South Africa
With their two most experienced bowlers under injury clouds, Australia’s resilience and depth will be severely tested as they look to keep their hopes of regaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy alive. The day-night conditions in Adelaide should aid their cause, but India will be buoyed by their comprehensive win in the series opener.
The second Test starts on Friday, December 6th at the Adelaide Oval. With so much intrigue around the two teams and the high stakes involved, it promises to be another enthralling encounter. Can Australia bounce back or will India take a stranglehold on the series? We will find out soon enough.
