Australia’s preparations for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy have taken a hit as pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Test against India due to a side strain. This development forces Australia to adjust their plans, especially as they trail 0-1 in the five-match series.
Cricket Australia confirmed that Hazlewood has sustained a "low-grade left side injury." He will remain with the squad in Adelaide to focus on his recovery, aiming to return later in the series.
In his absence, Australia has added uncapped pacers Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett to the squad, although Scott Boland is expected to replace Hazlewood in the playing XI for the day-night Test.
Hazlewood's absence is particularly notable, as it marks the first time he will miss a home Test against India. It is also the first instance since the 2015 Sydney Test that Australia will be without one of their four frontline bowlers—Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon—in a home Border-Gavaskar Trophy match.
This quartet has been a cornerstone of Australia's bowling attack, playing together in nine consecutive home Tests against India.
In the opening Test of the series in Perth, Hazlewood was Australia's standout performer, taking 5 for 57 across 34 overs. His absence is a significant blow to Australia's bowling strength, especially considering his past exploits in pink-ball Tests.
In the last day-night Test against India in Adelaide in 2021, Hazlewood produced a sensational spell, taking 5 for 8 as India were skittled out for a record low of 36 runs.
Scott Boland, widely expected to step into Hazlewood’s role, is no stranger to Test cricket. His last appearance came during the Ashes Test in Leeds in 2023. Known for his accuracy and ability to exploit helpful conditions, Boland will have big shoes to fill but has shown he can deliver under pressure.
Joining the squad are Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett, who have impressed in domestic cricket. Abbott, a consistent performer in the Sheffield Shield, took 4 for 71 in his most recent outing against Tasmania.
With 261 first-class wickets to his name, Abbott has been on the fringes of the Test team for some time. Doggett, on the other hand, has been in fine form, recently claiming a five-wicket haul against Western Australia.
His career-best figures of 6 for 15 against India A in McKay further underline his potential. Both players have been part of Test squads in the past but are yet to earn their debut caps.
Hazlewood's injury disrupts Australia’s plans at a critical juncture. His consistency and ability to maintain control, even when opposition batsmen are scoring freely, have been key assets for the team.
His performances in the first Test underscored his value, particularly his first-innings figures of 4 for 29, which helped restrict India to a modest total of 150.
The absence of Hazlewood adds pressure on Australia’s bowling unit, especially against an Indian team buoyed by their opening win. With Abbott and Doggett offering backup options, the team will hope that Boland and the rest of the attack can step up to fill the void.
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