Melbourne, Nov 30 || Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India with a side strain.
Australia have included Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett, both uncapped at Test level, in their squad. However, Scott Boland is expected to replace Josh Hazlewood in the playing XI for the day-night Test.
According to a statement from Cricket Australia, Hazlewood has sustained a "low-grade left side injury" and will stay with the squad in Adelaide to focus on his recovery. He will remain with the group in Adelaide to prepare for the remainder of the series.
This marks Hazlewood's first absence from a home Test against India. It also signifies the first time since the 2015 Sydney Test that Australia will be without one of their four stalwarts - Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon - in a home Border-Gavaskar Trophy match. The quartet had played together in nine consecutive home Tests against India.
Hazlewood was the standout bowler for Australia in the first Test against India in Perth with 5 for 57 across 34 overs. It is likely that Boland, who will lead PM's XI against India in the two-day tour game in Canberra, is expected to replace Hazlewood in the playing 11. His last Test appearance came in the Ashes Test in Leeds in 2023.