AUS vs IND: Josh Hazlewood ruled out of Adelaide Test, uncapped duo called up

Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Test, a pink-ball, day-night match against India in Adelaide beginning December 6, due to a 'low-grade left side injury', Cricket Australia announced.

In Short

• Josh Hazlewood ruled out of Adelaide Test due to a left side injury
• Uncapped pacers Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett join Australia's squad
• Scott Boland likely to replace Hazlewood in the Adelaide Test

Australia’s preparations for the second Test against India in Adelaide have taken a hit, with star pacer Josh Hazlewood ruled out due to a "low-grade left side injury." Cricket Australia confirmed the setback, which marks Hazlewood’s first missed home Test against India. The pink-ball, day-night fixture is set to begin on December 6, with Australia trailing the five-match series 0-1.

Uncapped pacers Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett have been added to the squad to bolster their pace options. However, it is likely that Scott Boland, a member of the original squad, will take Hazlewood’s place in the playing XI. Boland, who last played in the 2023 Ashes Test at Leeds, is expected to feature in the Prime Minister’s XI warm-up match before the Adelaide Test.

Hazlewood’s absence is a major blow for the Australians. Known for his mastery with the pink ball, Hazlewood delivered a memorable spell against India in Adelaide during their last day-night Test in December 2021, claiming 5 for 8 in five overs as India crumbled to their lowest-ever Test score of 36. In the series opener in Perth, he impressed with figures of 4 for 29 in the first innings and an economical 28 runs off 21 overs in the second.

Abbott and Doggett enter the squad on the back of strong performances in the Sheffield Shield. Abbott, with 261 first-class wickets to his name, recently took 4 for 71 against Tasmania. Doggett, who claimed a five-wicket haul against Western Australia, also delivered career-best figures of 6 for 15 against India A earlier this season.

Both pacers have previously been included in Australia’s Test squads but are yet to make their debuts. Doggett was part of the UAE tour against Pakistan in 2018, while Abbott was named in the squad during the 2020-21 home series against India and served as a reserve during the 2021-22 Ashes.

Australia will be hoping for a seamless transition as they aim to level the series, while India will look to capitalize on the absence of one of Australia’s most reliable Test bowlers.