Cricket Australia have today confirmed the worst-held fears of fans, ruling both Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins out of the upcoming Test series with Pakistan due to injury.
The news is a cruel blow to Australia’s fast bowling stocks and, although there are plenty of candidates to replace the injured duo, the attack will sorely miss their absence.
In a statement, physiotherapist David Beakley said that, while the duo were “progressing well” from stress injuries in the lumbar bone – they weren’t yet ready to bowl.
“Unfortunately they will not be at the level required for Test match intensity come October.
“Barring any setbacks, we are hopeful that Pat and Josh will return via the back-end of the JLT One-Day Cup, with the aim of them being available for the ODI Series against South Africa in November as they build towards the Indian Test Series,” he said.
Concrete fixtures are yet to be put in place for the tour, but Australia’s trip to the United Arab Emirates is reportedly set to feature two Tests, five ODIs and one Twenty20.
In the most recent meeting between these sides in the UAE, Pakistan swept the two-Test series convincingly, but the Aussies were able to collect all the wins on offer in the ODIs and T20.
More recently, Pakistan toured Australia in 2016-17, with the home side claiming a 3-0 Test sweep and a 4-1 ODI series win.
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
could be a blessing in disguise. i don't think they would have enjoyed bowling in those pitches anyway. A big test ofr the Aussie spinners I think.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
The fact Burns wasn't chosen to tour India this month with Australia A gives me the very strong impression that he will not play the Tests against Pakistan. After Burns' struggles in Sri Lanka two years ago they surely would have wanted him to get some batting time in Asian conditions if they planned to pick him in the UAE. The Australia A tour could change things but right now this is the Aussie XI I think the selectors will pick against Pakistan: 1. Renshaw 2. Khawaja 3. S. Marsh 4. Handscomb 5. Maxwell 6. M. Marsh 7. Paine 8. Agar 9. Starc 10. Lyon 11. Tremain/Bird/Richardson (a lottery really) There is a chance, however, that Australia could go with only Starc as a frontline pace option and pick three spinners like they did in the second Test against Bangladesh last year. Then the likes of SOK, Holland and Swepson would come into the equation.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
That lineup is suggesting automatically dropping Usman again the moment they return to Asia. I'm hopeful they might not only give him a chance, but that he'll finally be able to take it. In which case the lineup may look more like: Burns Renshaw Khawaja S.Marsh Maxwell / Handscomb M.Marsh Paine Agar Starc Lyon Swepson/Tremain It's hard to see it deviating too much from that though. Not sure there have really been enough batsmen really put their hands up in recent times. Likely we are looking at Head and Ferguson as back up options with the bat, Tremain will be the second quick taken, probably J.Richardson the third, the Holland may get the pick as the backup spinner behind the three mentioned. There aren't really a lot of other options out there.
Brian
Guest
Will be interesting to see if Maxwell gets a bowl now that Smith is no longer captain. Burns Renshaw S Marsh Handscomb Maxwell M Marsh Paine Agar Starc Lyon Swepson/Tremain
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
It's probably also a case of not rushing Australia's two most key fast bowlers back for a series likely played in dustbowls where fast bowling will be a really hard slog and it's really all about the spinners. If the pitches are as I expect them to be then 1 fast bowler and 3 spinners may well be the way to go. And if Starc is fit, he's probably the best placed to be that fast bowler anyway as he can hopefully make use of the roughed up ball that comes from all those overs of spin being bowled onto a dry dusty pitch and get some reverse swing. Especially if Mitch Marsh is fit to be the second seamer if they want a few more overs of spin here and there. If Maxwell plays that's a fourth spin option for a few overs here and there just to change things up. I'm thinking that the three main spinners for a three spinner attack like that would pretty much pick themselves at the moment. Surely you have Lyon, Swepson, Agar. Sorry Jon Holland, but if picking three spinners you want at least 1 who's decent with the bat, and that gets Agar across the line.
Krishna Singh
Roar Rookie
Langer good coach, 7 out of 11 player in recent one day team wa guys but all deserve go.
Paul
Roar Guru
not if they get the selections right and the guys step up.
Andy Hill
Roar Pro
Langer will probably pick Jhye Richardson. He loves his WA boys.
Nick
Roar Guru
Well hang on...essentially we have two Australia A tours now. The one in India, and the one in the UAE against Pakistan. This will be a slaughter.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
This makes the Australia A tour of India this month particularly crucial. Huge chance for Tremain in particular.
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Tremain should be next in line as first chooice backup but I would also like to see Tom Rogers ahead of Sayers and Richardson. Rogers had an average of 18 last season and also adds great batting depth averaging 25.
prideofsouthaustralia13
Roar Rookie
Time for Chadd to shine...
Paul
Roar Guru
not unexpected and as the story states, there's opportunities on offer for other guys to step up. It could be a blessing in disguise if one or more of Tremain and co do a good job replacing Cummins and Hazlewood.