Australia has been dealt a major injury blow heading into the second Ashes Test in Adelaide, with star fast bowler Josh Hazlewood reportedly ruled out of the match.
Fox Sports reported on Sunday that Hazlewood, who suffered a side strain on day three of Australia’s nine-wicket win over England in the first Test at the Gabba, returned home to Sydney on Sunday afternoon, apart from the rest of the team.
Cricket Australia confirmed on Monday morning that the experienced seamer would miss the match, with his fitness for the Boxing Day Test uncertain.
“Hazlewood returned to Sydney yesterday afternoon for further assessment and rehabilitation with a decision on his fitness for the Boxing Day Test to be made in due course,” CA said in a statement.
Fast bowlers Michael Neser and Jhye Richardson have both been named in a 14-man squad for the second Test, with Richardson iset to be named in Hazlewood’s stead. The 25-year old Western Australian has been made to wait nearly three years to add to his two Test caps, having taking six wickets at 20.50 in an encouraging debut series against Sri Lanka.
Spinner Mitchell Swepson is also part of the squad, but it is unlikely Australia will opt for a second slow bowler alongside Nathan Lyon, with the day-night Test traditionally favouring the quicks.
A Hazlewood back injury was Richardson’s original path to a baggy green; history, it seems, has a habit of repeating itself.
Jhye Richardson (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
David Warner is also in doubt to take his place at the Adelaide Oval after suffering a blow to the ribs from England all-rounder Ben Stokes while batting in Brisbane. The opener has also reportedly left Australia’s COVID bubble, according to Fox Sports.
Concerns over Hazlewood’s fitness were piqued when the right-armer bowled just eight of 68 overs for Australia on day three, as Joe Root and Dawid Malan put on a century stand to see England to stumps at 2/220.
He would return the day after to bowl six more, including taking the wicket of Jos Buttler; but captain Pat Cummins admitted after the win was wrapped up that Australia would be conservative with their frontline quick.
“We’re just managing him through. It’s obviously a five-Test match summer. He’s key for us, so we don’t want to blow him out of the water on day two or three,” Cummins said.
“We don’t want to put him in jeopardy for the whole series. So we’ll take our time… sleep on it, see how he pulls up tomorrow.”
While only taking three wickets for the Test, Hazlewood’s relentless efficiency made him a crucial part of Australia’s outstanding bowling performance at the Gabba. His miserly spell on the first morning, conceding just three runs from seven overs and picking up the wickets of Root and Malan to boot, gave the Aussies the upper hand they never relinquished.
With Hazlewood taking two outstanding catches at fine leg as well, Richardson’s famously dodgy shoulder will make it difficult for him to replace the New South Welshman in the field at least.
Hazlewood’s absence is a massive blow for Australia heading into the day-night Adelaide Test, a happy hunting ground for the right-armer. In five Tests at the venue with the pink ball, he has picked up 28 wickets at a miserly average of 18.43, with two five-wicket hauls.
His average of 24.45 against England is also a slight improvement on his career average of 25.63; both figures are clearly among the world’s best.
buster
Guest
This actually puts a lot of pressure on Starc. He will need to step up. If he doesn't then he might be the one who has to make way for Hazelwood's return.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
That was a full sentence. If you are going to try a come back, attend to your (mis)use of capital letters.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
You need to remember Pierro, it was only NSW and Vic that WA was closed to for most of the year. There’s been plenty of travel from WA to Qld, NT, SA, Tas this year.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Jeff as you say it was the safest thing to do you happy with the early Feb reopening . Ready to open up according to mcgowans record breaking island stance ?
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Full sentences . right back at you
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
I used to be conceited but now I'm perfect
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Paragraphs!
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Quite simply I’ve always said on threads he’s brilliant on pitches with bounce and can tie up ends and bowl long stints but on pitches where they get on top of him it can really take a match away from Australia and under Paine in particular there where several times where Paine over used Lyon and it got Australia in to hot water and paines fields and decision making got worse as matches tightened . A few grounds like Sydney and more so overseas they have got on top of Lyon though . Fifth day of lord’s last ashes test there Paine used him all morning and they smacked him for runs quickly and sent us in much sooner . i I’m. It very nearly resulted in Aus. being bowled out and losing the match later day 5 but for labuschsnge holding the thought . I don’t need to demonstrate it don , I know it I was there watching it
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You don't demonstrate that knowledge.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
I'm proud of you you've provided explanation and evidence . I understand he plays that role well but if there is a flatter ground they can get on top of him and the game gets away from Australia . Generally you are correct though. As I said there are a few grounds where they get on top of him though
Pierro
Roar Rookie
I'm a fan of lyons I just know where he is an asset and superb at times and where he is weaker and we have lost matches In those instances
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
If you've seen plenty of him and still don't get it, your problem is clear. It's not Lyon you don't understand, it's the game itself.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Soft tissue issues are soft tissue injuries . Hazelwood is one of my favorite bowlers I'd play him every test if we could
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
His role is to create pressure. The others then take wickets as the result of that pressure. He earns those wickets just as much as the player who takes them. That's why averages don't tell the story. He plays the role he is selected to play. I have explained this a few times. We have seen that you struggle with the basics of long form cricket. Just keep reading and you'll learn a bit but watch the game with experienced commentators or sit with someone who knows the game. Join the live blog on The Roar for the Adelaide Test and I'll explain some of the nuances to you as they unfold. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
I've watched plenty of him don he shines on bouncy pitches in aus . Some matches at mcg scg have been taken away from us as they get on top of Lyon and starc .Lyons got some poor averages abroad too. You don't have any nuances to report on swepson because they keep selecting Lyon . Thing is we lose matches with Lyon playing and quite a few of them more so abroad of course
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Slow over rates matter because there are only so many available hours of playable light. Think before you write. One moment you talk about World Cup (goodness knows why) and when you realise how silly that was, you start talking about six packs.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
They are way different injuries and 3 years apart. That's not a history. You say such ridiculous things.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I have a hunch you are not familiar with Nathan Lyon's cricket. Either that, or you just don't understand the game. Maths, especially statistics, do not explain the nuances of team sport.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Are you saying 41 plus average at scg is a good average? Hold the phone donny . 522 overs bowled there for a poor average so plenty of data and some very weak opposition in alot of that data .
Pierro
Roar Rookie
That's the only reason slow over rates matter don. Fees are not important to results . Don one short of a six pack again