- By Himanshu Badola
- Sat, 30 Nov 2024 07:33 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Australian men's cricket team vs India national cricket team match:
Australia have suffered a massive blow as their senior star pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Test against India in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Cricket Australia confirmed that Hazlewood, who was their leading wicket-taker in the first Test at Perth, suffered a “low-grade” side injury.
The second Test of the five-match series will be a pink-ball Test which is scheduled to start from December 6 at the Adelaide Oval.
“Hazlewood will remain with the group in Adelaide to prepare for the remainder of the series,” CA said in a statement.
Uncapped quicks Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett have been added to the squad as cover, joining all-rounder Beau Webster as the new faces in the Australian camp.
Hazlewood picked five wickets in the first Test which Australia lost by 295 runs at the Optus Stadium.
The 33-year-old fast bowler was the star performer in the last pink-ball Test played between India and Australia way back in 2020 in Adelaide.
Hazlewood claimed 5-8 as Australia bowled India out for just 36 runs in their second innings before registering an eight-wicket victory.
Scott Boland likely to play pink-ball Test vs India in Adelaide
Hazlewood's injury has opened the door for Scott Boland to make his much-awaited return to the Test side. He hasn't played a Test for Australia since last year’s Ashes series in England.
The 35-year-ol has taken 28 wickets at 12.21 across six Tests in Australia, while he averages 13.71 in pink-ball matches.
He also has good memories against India, having taken a total of five wickets in the World Test Championship final last year which Australia won by 209 runs at the Kennington Oval.
Notably, Doggett received his first Test call-up during the 2018 series against Pakistan in the UAE but is yet to make his international debut for Australia.
On the other hand, the 32-year-old Abbott has previously featured in Australia’s Test squad during the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign and the 2023 Ashes, but he’s also yet to receive a coveted baggy green.
Australia squad for 2nd Test vs India
Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Brendan Doggett, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster