Josh Hazlewood leaves Australia dangling; Panic Mode Activated

The Australia national cricket team has suffered a major blow ahead of the second Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 series against India. Veteran Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the upcoming match, the day-night Test, due to a side strain injury.

Josh Hazlewood picked up five wickets for 57 runs from 34 overs in Perth, where Australia suffered a 295-run loss in the first Test match. The pacer will miss his first Test since Headingley in the 2023 Ashes. It is worth noting that Hazlewood played only four Tests between December 2021 and June 2023.

Josh Hazlewood Ruled Out of Adelaide Test vs India in BGT 2024-25

Cricket Australia announced that Josh Hazlewood has a minor injury on his left side and will stay in Adelaide to recover. The injury isn't severe, and Hazlewood is likely to rejoin the team for the third Test in Brisbane. The 33-year-old pacer will miss the Day-Night Test, with Scott Boland set to replace him.

“Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the match with a low-grade left side injury,” said Cricket Australia.

“Hazlewood will remain with the group in Adelaide to prepare for the remainder of the series.”

Cricket Australia Includes Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett in Squad

Cricket Australia has included uncapped pacers Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett in the squad as cover. Abbott and Doggett are uncapped at the Test level, but they have prior experience. Doggett was part of the 2018 UAE tour, and Abbott was included in past home series against India and the Ashes.

Abbott has played 26 ODIs and 20 T20Is since his international debut in 2014. He took 4-71 from 16 overs against Tasmania at the SCG in the Sheffield Shield. Abbott has secured 13 wickets at an average of 19.84 in two Shield matches this season and has 261 wickets from 87 first-class matches in his career.

Scott Boland Likely to Return to Australia Playing XI for Second Test

Scott Boland could play his second Test in Adelaide. He last represented Australia in July 2023 during the third Test of the Ashes series at Headingley. Currently, he is part of the Prime Minister's XI in a two-day, day-night match against India at Canberra's Manuka Oval, set to begin on November 30.

The second Test between India and Australia will take place at Adelaide Oval, starting on December 6. The Australian squad will assemble in Adelaide over the weekend, with an extra day for preparation.

Australia Squad for Second Test vs Team India: 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

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