Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Test against India at Adelaide Oval in a massive blow for the hosts.
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On Saturday, Cricket Australia confirmed the 33-year-old would miss the day-night contest due to a “low-grade” side injury.
“Hazlewood will remain with the group in Adelaide to prepare for the remainder of the series,” CA said in a statement.
Uncapped quicks Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett have been added to the squad as cover, joining all-rounder Beau Webster as the new faces in the Australian camp.
Hazlewood claimed 5-8 during Australia’s previous pink-ball Test against India, an eight-wicket victory at Adelaide Oval in 2020. The New South Welshman was Australia’s best bowler during last week’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy series opener at Perth Stadium, taking 4-29 in the first innings.
Due to a frustrating run of injuries — including two side strains — he only played four Tests between December 2021 and June 2023.
Australia is also sweating on the fitness of all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who pulled up sore after the Perth Test.
Hazlewood’s setback opens the door for Scott Boland to make his long-awaited return to the Test side, having not represented Australia since last year’s Ashes series in England.
The Victorian seamer has taken 28 wickets at 12.21 across six Tests in Australia, while he averages 13.71 in pink-ball matches.
Doggett received his first Test call-up during the 2018 series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, but he’s yet to make his international debut.
Earlier this month, the 30-year-old South Australian claimed 6-15 in Australia A’s victory over India A in Mackay, also claiming a five-wicket haul during last week’s Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia in Adelaide.
If selected, Doggett would become the fifth Indigenous player to earn a baggy green, joining Jason Gillespie, Faith Thomas, Ash Gardner and Boland.
Abbott has previously featured in Australia’s Test squad during the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign and the 2023 Ashes, but he’s also yet to receive a coveted baggy green.
The New South Welshman has played 26 ODIs and 20 T20Is since his international debut in 2014, helping Australia win a World Cup title in India last year. He claimed 4-71 from 16 overs during last week’s Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania at the SCG.
The second Test between Australia and India gets underway at Adelaide Oval on Friday, with the first ball scheduled for 2.40pm AEDT.
Australian squad for Adelaide Test
Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Brendan Doggett, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
