Australia's Josh Hazlewood shakes hands with India's Jasprit Bumrah after the 1st Test match of the BGT.
Credit: Dean Lewins/AAP Image via REUTERS
Canberra: Already under the pump following a crushing loss in the opening Test, Australia received a major blow when their premier fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide.
According to a squad update from Cricket Australia, the 33-year-old pacer, who was easily their best bowler in the 295-run loss to India at the Perth Stadium last week, has been ruled out of the match with a low grade left side injury.
Australia have summoned pacers Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett into the squad for the second Test which will be a day/night affair from December 6.
"Hazlewood will remain with the group in Adelaide to prepare for the remainder of the series," the statement added.
Hazlewood claimed five wickets for the match in Perth, including a haul of 4/29 which saw India being skittled for 150 in their first innings. He also bowled an economical 21 overs in India's second innings (1/28) with the tourists declaring at a mammoth 487/6.
Hazlewood was also pick of Australia's bowlers in the pink ball Test against India in 2020. His figures of 5/8 in the second innings saw India crash to 36 all out, their lowest Test total in an innings.
Hazlewood's absence paves the way for the return of Victorian quick Scot Boland, who last played a Test in July 2023 at Headingley against England.
Boland, only the second indigenous male cricketer to have played Test cricket for Australia after Jason Gillespie, was set to lead an Australian PM's XI side in the two-day pink ball match against India but Saturday's opening day of the contest was delayed by consistent drizzle.