RCB Star Josh Hazlewood Ruled Out Of Pink-Ball Test Vs India

Anurag Dasgupta

Hazlewood ruled out of second Test [Source: @sports_fever24/X.Com] Hazlewood ruled out of second Test [Source: @sports_fever24/X.Com]

In a massive blow to the Australian comeback hopes, star pacer, Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the Pink-Ball Test Vs India due to a low-grade left side injury. On Saturday, Cricket Australia confirmed that the 33-year-old will miss the match against India but could return for the 3rd Test match in Brisbane.

Uncapped pacer, Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett have been called in as replacements for Hazlewood as Australia sweat hard on his injury status.

Australia will miss Josh Hazlewood, who was certainly their best bowler in the defeat against India in Perth. In India’s first innings, he picked up 4 for 29 as the visitors got bundled out for 150.

In the second innings, when everyone went for plenty of runs, Hazlewood just conceded 28 runs in 22 overs, but the efforts weren’t enough as the home side lost the match.

Interestingly, Hazlewood was the one who tormented India, the last time they played a Pink-Ball Test match at Adelaide. The seam bowler picked up 5 for 8 as the Indian side got knocked over for 36, and the visitors will have a sigh of relief.

“Hazlewood will remain with the group in Adelaide to prepare for the remainder of the series,” CA said in a statement.

Who will replace Hazlewood?

The first in line is Scott Boland, who will most likely feature against India in the day-night match. He is next in line for a Test recall as the Victorian pacer hasn’t played for the Aussies since the Ashes series, last summer in England.

In 6 Tests in Australia, the pacer has bagged 28 wickets, at 12.21. Interestingly, he averages just 13.71 in Pink-ball Tests.

Doggett, first received his maiden Australian call-up in 2018 against Pakistan, but he didn’t feature in the series and now has an outside chance of representing the team against India.

Australia squad for Pink-Ball Test

Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Brendan Doggett, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster