Australia have been forced to make a last-minute change to their squad for the upcoming ICC World Test Championship final against Team India. Their star pacer Josh Hazlewood has suffered yet another injury setback and is out of the crucial contest.
The right-arm pacer has struggled with his fitness for quite some time now. Josh Hazlewood, who last played a Test in January this year, has only played four of Australia’s last 19 Test matches. He has not played in back-to-back first-class games since early 2021. After the home season earlier this year, he missed the entire four-match Test series and the ODI series in India due to Achilles issue.
The same issue also affected his IPL campaign where he managed to play only three matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore after arriving late. Later, he picked up a side soreness during the IPL and has lost his race to be fit for the ICC World Test Champions Final against India.
Australia announce replacement for Josh Hazlewood:
With Josh Hazlewood sidelined, Australia have announced Michael Neser as his replacement. Hazlewood, however, remains in the Australia squad for the Ashes, scheduled to get underway on June 16 at Edgbaston. The omission from the WTC squad could be a precautionary measure to keep the pacer fit for the Ashes.
“Josh was very, very close to being given the green light but we are cognisant that our upcoming schedule [the WTC final quickly followed by five Ashes Tests] means this is not a one-off Test match of us,” Australia’s chief selector George Bailey said.
“This will give Josh an ideal preparation leading into Edgbaston. With six Test matches in a little over seven weeks we will need all of our fast bowling assets,” he added.
Neser earned the call-up after impressing for Glamorgan in England’s County Championship. The fast-bowler has picked up 19 wickets in 5 games in addition to scoring a century. With Hazlewood out, Scott Boland looks set to get a chance in the playing eleven although Australia could decide to capitalise on Neser’s good form.
Updated Australia squad:
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, David Warner
Standby players: Mitch Marsh, Matthew Renshaw