Australia have suffered a blow to their bowling stocks for the Test series against Sri Lanka, with key paceman Josh Hazlewood ruled out with a back injury.
The team’s vice-captain is being replaced by Western Australia’s Jhye Richardson in the squad for the two-Test series, which begins at the Gabba on Thursday.
“Josh has reported some back soreness over the last few days and scans have revealed a very early-stage stress fracture in the same lower back area as his previous injury from last summer,” Cricket Australia physiotherapist David Beakley said.
He said Australia were confident Hazlewood, who’s taken 164 wickets in 44 Tests, would be available for selection in time for the World Cup and Ashes campaigns.
Richardson, 22, has played seven one-day and seven Twenty20 internationals but is uncapped at Test level.
National selector Trevor Hohns said he was “an ideal replacement” for Hazlewood.
“Jhye has had an impressive first half in his Sheffield Shield season and no one could deny he has now continued that form in ODI matches for Australia,” he said.
Australia are now without both their deputies to Tim Paine, with Mitch Marsh not selected for the Sri Lanka Tests.
Hazlewood missed Australia’s two-Test series against Pakistan in the UAE in September with a similar back injury.
He was rested for the home ODI’s against India along with fellow Test quicks Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.
Australia’s Test squad is due to meet in Brisbane on Saturday evening.
Old Greybeard
Roar Rookie
Not surprising. Nothing in the pitch for him and not one test when the bowlers got a day's break.
AREH
Roar Guru
Good call. I actually don't have an issue with the Richardson selection in isolation, I think he's an exceptional talent with an immense future at International level. Even this Shield season with WA he has been ultra impressive. His pace is sharp, and he could be a handful with the pink ball too. I just feel for a guy like Tremain earning his place yet not being rewarded for multiple seasons of excellence. Plus he can swing the ball.
3 R M
Guest
Jeff Thompson played 5 games for NSW before his inglorious test debut but Richardson's form is better than that , though the lack of bowling craft in this test attack is lacking and it has been evident for a while and you would think a green bowler wouldn't add much to that but the kid takes new ball wickets .With Tremain & Boland they are seasoned and look ready for tests, they've done thier time and deseve selection. Its a night test in Brisbane and there is a bit of Jimmy Anderson in the way that Richardson bowls .As you've pointed out Ryan there have been far worse selections and you left out a cohort of names but I don't think that this is a wtf moment with the ashes coming up .
Rob JM
Guest
Except Richardson has better stats than Tremain both overall and this season, and is a solid No 8 batsman. So expect Siddle to be picked!
AREH
Roar Guru
Even if that is the case, we are talking about a guy (Tremain) who has taken more Shield wickets across the last three seasons than anyone else, while doing a majority of his bowling on the placid MCG wicket. Richardson - for how wonderfully exciting a prospect he has quickly become for WA and Australia at ODI level - has played, what...less than 10 FC matches? I still think Tremain is clearly the first cab of the rank quick bowler, and he isn't being rewarded. It's eerily similar to somebody like Callum Ferguson in seasons gone by, grinding away for consecutive Shield seasons averaging 45-50, and then seeing Alex Doolan, George Bailey or Mitch Marsh selected despite inferior stats.
Is Don Is Good
Guest
My bad - thought we were talking one dayers :)
Is Don Is Good
Guest
Richardson has Tremain comfortably covered at ListA level. Better average, economy rate and average.
Simoc
Guest
Gotta say Jhye Richardson has been looking the goods this season. I can't see why he won't carry this form forward to the tests. He seems to be able to trouble every batsman he bowls to which is great to see in a young quick.
Jordan Beadell
Roar Rookie
Richardson deserves this chance. Been in great shield form taking 27 wickets at an average of 20 odd in 5 games. Selectors choosing someone in form for once.
Phillip
Guest
That pretty much kills off this Shield season as pointless, potential over form makes all the red ball cricket useless. To all who believe this is such a great idea, the results are looking you straight in the face as Australian cricket has now reached its lowest point in recent memory. Just for example Wade should be playing instead of Head, not only is he in form but is an experienced Test player. Its all in the end about who's your friend, who you know and if you are marketable... just thinking about all this makes me sick in the guts seeing a small group of men destroy a sport I love to watch
3 R M
Guest
The thing is Richardson moves the ball bowls close to the stumps and is in great form where as Tremain and Boland just bowled 30 plus overs 7 each at night with a new ball and barely moved it off the strait .the problem I see is them possibly playing siddle which on shield and one day form is the real spekky.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Q. Why are Vics so healthy? A. Because they can't catch anything. Yes, yes. I know Tremain's really a Blue. Am not sure CNSW does though.
Rob JM
Guest
Plus we need all the batting we can get. JR already has 3 50s from 15 1st class innings.
George
Guest
No Tremain. The farce continues.
Paul
Roar Guru
Among other things, the selectors will want to see how Richardson goes at Test level as he appears to be a vital piece in Australia's bowling future. They've already had a (brief) look at Tremain and it's hard to fault Richardson's form. A sound selection....for a change.
Paul
Roar Guru
Starc & Richardson should get the new ball
Flexis
Roar Rookie
Silver lining - Very excited to see Cummins get an opportunity with the new ball.
Ray87
Guest
Please pick Richardson over Siddle
Abdushakoor
Roar Rookie
It's not a good news for the Australia but replacing him with Jhye Richardson is good enough to check the exciting youngster in the longer format on international level.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
Agreed, Ryan. Tremain is a very similar bowler to Hazlewood, and seems the logical replacement, especially when you apply for selectors off-sighted 'like for like' replacement policy, which they've previously used to justify Richardson's selection in a Test squad as a backup for Cummins. I guess expecting consistency from selectors is unrealistic. Some players put up the stats the selectors say they need and don't get picked, others it's about potential and 'gut feel'.