Already down 0-1 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Australia cricket team has suffered a huge blow. Josh Hazlewood, their best bowler in Perth, has been ruled out of the India vs Australia 2nd Test in Adelaide. The tall pacer had taken five wickets in the opening match, and it was his immaculate control that had troubled the Indian batters.
Australia to miss Josh Hazlewood in Adelaide
Hazlewood had bowled 34 overs in the match and went for just 57 runs. Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, had leaked 67 runs in the first innings itself, and if it weren’t for Hazlewood, India wouldn’t have been all out for 150. In the second innings, where India almost scored 500, Hazlewood gave away just 28 runs in 21 overs. Unfortunately for Australia, a side strain has ruled him out of the pink ball Test in Adelaide.
Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett get call-ups
Cricket Australia has announced the replacements for Hazlewood. Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett have been added to the squad. While Doggett is an out-and-out bowler, Abbott has significantly improved his batting over the last couple of years and is seen as a bowling all-rounder now. The two right-arm pacers are uncapped so far. Abbott has represented Australia in 46 limited-overs matches but never in Test cricket.
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Australia’s injury woes
Before the series even started, Australia had lost Cameron Green. A perfect fit at number five, the all-rounder would have not only strengthened the batting but their bowling as well. Mitchell Marsh, who bowled 17 overs, took three wickets, and scored 53 runs in Perth, is also uncertain for the India vs Australia 2nd Test.
Beau Webster was earlier added to Australia’s squad with concerns over Marsh’s ability to bowl. Now, Cummins has also lost his best bowler in Hazlewood. Luckily, they have got Scott Boland, who’s done well in Australia before. Boland will also feature in the India vs Prime Minister’s (PM) XI match later today and get some crucial practice.
Australia’s squad for 2nd Test vs India
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster, Sean Abbott, Brendan Doggett
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