Australia’s Hazlewood out of 2nd India Test

SYDNEY: Australian pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood was on Saturday ruled out of the second Test against India in Adelaide, with seamers Sean Abbott and Brendon Doggett added to their squad.

The right-armer, who took five wickets in Australia´s 295-run first Test defeat at Perth, has what Cricket Australia described as “a low-grade left side injury”.

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

While the uncapped Abbott and Doggett were drafted in, Hazelwood´s absence is likely to open the door for Scott Boland to play in the day-night Test that starts on Friday.

Boland, who was already part of the squad, played the last of his 10 Tests in July 2023 against England at Headingley.

There are also question marks around allrounder Mitchell Marsh, who, like Hazlewood, pulled up sore following their Perth thrashing.

Beau Webster was on Thursday called into the squad as cover for him. The loss of Hazlewood adds to the uncertainty around Australia heading into the second Test after their 295-run thrashing in Perth. There are question marks over the batting line-up, with Marnus Labuschagne the most under pressure after his twin failures in Perth including 2 off 52 balls in the first innings.

Australia will be begin training in Adelaide on Monday, a day earlier than originally scheduled. India are due to play a two-day game against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra on Saturday and Sunday although heavy rain has put that in doubt.

Boland is part of the PM’s XI squad with a view to getting some overs under his belt having played just two first-class games this season.