In a significant setback for Australia, Josh Hazlewood will miss the second Test against India in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide. He sustained a side strain last week and was ruled out on November 30.
There has been much speculation surrounding the pacer’s injury. Initially, some local fans speculated that his exclusion was due to comments he made before the final innings of the first Test in Perth, when asked if the team could chase the 534-run target set by India.
“You probably have to ask one of the batters that question, I’m sort of relaxing and trying to get a little bit of treatment and I am looking mostly to the next Test,” Hazlewood had said (via Hindustan Times).
Many Indian and Australian experts joined the discussion, speculating a rift within the Australian camp. However, Travis Head and Hazlewood’s manager quickly dismissed these rumors. On the eve of the Test, captain Pat Cummins also addressed the issue, rejecting the speculation.
“The team’s great. Some of the commentators got that 100 per cent wrong,” Cummins said (via Tha Indian Express). “We’ve prepared like we always do and get around each other. It’s a great feeling around the team. We don’t make too much of it.”
“When things don’t go right, there’s enough commentators that will support you but also some that will, of course, create some headlines. We try not to take too much notice of it. We just go about our things,” he added.
Josh Hazlewood will be a significant loss, particularly because the pink-ball Test is being played at the Adelaide Oval, where he boasts an impressive average of 16.82 — the best for any bowler with at least 15 wickets at the ground.
Australia’s Playing XI for the 2nd Test Without Josh Hazlewood
Australia has brought in pacer Scott Boland to replace Josh Hazlewood. Boland has taken 35 wickets in his first 10 Tests at an outstanding average of 20.30. Despite having played only two competitive matches in the past four months due to an ankle injury, India will not underestimate his accuracy and persistent wobbled-seam deliveries.
Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, and Scott Boland.
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