Australia have been dealt with a decisive blow ahead of near-must win second Test against Team India as Josh Hazlewood will miss the fixture due to a side strain. Hence, the selectors have added uncapped pacers in Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott to the squad as the hosts try to plot their way back into the series.
Hazlewood was Australia’s best bowler across two innings in Perth as the Baggy Greens suffered a thumping 295-run loss to go down 0-1. The 33-year-old picked up four wickets on day one to bundle the tourists out for 150 and followed it up by sending down 21 overs in the second, but was unlucky to get only one wicket for his efforts as India batted the hosts out of the contest.
The New South Wales quick was Australia’s wrecker-in-chief when the two sides locked horns in a pink-ball Test the previous time, taking five wickets to bundle India out for 36. Hazlewood’s absence also means Australia will need Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins to stand up if they are keep an in-form Indian batting line-up down.
Scott Boland likely to replace Josh Hazlewood for the pink-ball Test
Nevertheless, the hosts have a readymade replacement in Scott Boland, who is as penetrative with the ball as Hazlewood. Boland claimed a six-wicket haul on debut and has so far claimed 35 wickets in 10 Tests at 20.34.
Australia are yet to lose a pink-ball Test while playing at the Adelaide Oval.
