Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Ashes Test in Adelaide due to the side strain he picked up in Brisbane with Jhye Richardson, Western Australia quick, favourite to replace him.
Josh Hazlewood bowled on the fourth day at the Gabba, having been held back for a large part of the innings after scans had shown a “very minor” strain but it was always unlikely he would be risked for the day-night Test.
Josh Hazlewood Ruled Out Of 2nd Ashes Test And Returned To Sydney
The pacer returned to Sydney on Sunday rather than head to Adelaide with the focus now on being ready for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Like all the Australian pacers, he came into the Ashes without any long-form match practice. Josh Hazlewood has taken 32 wickets at 19.90 in seven day-night Tests. The series now includes a second match under lights following the relocation of the Perth fixture to Hobart.
Josh Hazlewood reportedly flew out of Brisbane to Sydney on Sunday afternoon for further assessment and rehabilitation with a decision on his fitness for the Boxing Day Test (Melbourne, December 26) to be made in due course. The Cricket Australia (CA) selection panel will likely choose between Queensland’s Michael Neser and Western Australia’s Jhye Richardson as Josh Hazlewood’s replacement.
Josh Hazlewood, who was a part of Australia’s T20 World Cup-winning squad last month, took 3-74 in 27 overs in the match but only bowled eight of 70 overs on day three and 6 more on Day 4 in Brisbane before being ruled out.
He didn’t bowl on the third afternoon in Brisbane and was sent for a scan on Friday night which showed he was at least fit enough to bowl on Saturday. The right-arm pacer (14-6-32-1) got through six overs on day four and claimed the Jos Buttler in what was ultimately a nine-wicket win for the hosts.
Jhye Richardson-2 Test Veteran Frontrunner To Replace Josh Hazlewood But Uncapped Michael Neser Another Contender
Jhye Richardson is the frontrunner to come into the pace attack having enjoyed an impressive Sheffield Shield season where he has claimed 23 wickets at 13.43. He played his previous two Tests against Sri Lanka in 2019, his debut coming in a day-night match at the Gabba where he claimed match figures of 5 for 45.
However, the uncapped Michael Neser produced a timely reminder of his credentials by taking seven wickets against England Lions including 5 for 29 in the first innings. Australia has not made any additions to the squad for the second Test.
David Warner did not field during England’s second innings in Brisbane or bat in the small chase after a blow to the ribs against Ben Stokes but is expected to be fit. Usman Khawaja is the spare batter.