Australia bowler Josh Hazlewood is going to miss the second Ashes Test scheduled to start on December 16 in Adelaide due to a side injury. Hazlewood’s injury is undoubtedly going to be a big blow for the Australia team ahead of the first pink-ball Test of the Ashes series.
Cricket Australia (CA) on Monday confirmed that the 30-year old fast bowler went back to his home in Sydney and did not travel with the rest of the team. Hazlewood was sent for a scan on Friday night which showed he was at least fit enough to bowl on Saturday.
Australia secured a comfortable nine-wicket victory against England in the first Ashes Test played in Brisbane. Hazlewood picked up two wickets in the first innings and dismissed English wicket-keeper Jos Buttler in the second innings. Though Hazlewood could not bowl a single delivery on the third afternoon at the Gabba.
Pacers Jhye Richardson or Michael Neser will be the chosen one for the second Test instead of Hazlewood. CA informed that a decision on Hazlewood's fitness for the third Boxing Day test in Melbourne would be made after further assessment and rehab.
Richardson played two Tests against Sri Lanka almost three years back but has been in terrific form to commence the Marsh Sheffield Shield season. The 25-year old has taken 23 wickets in four games for Western Australia in the Marsh Sheffield Shield tournament.
Speaking to cricket.com.au at the end of the first Test, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting tipped Richardson over Neser if the Aussies were forced into changing their bowling attack.
"Richardson was obviously very close to playing this Test instead of Starc. He's in great form," said Ponting, noting that Neser had taken a five-wicket haul against the England Lions this week.
"When the ball's not swinging and seaming, I'd have him ahead of Neser as far as an all-round bowling package is concerned.
"Neser obviously thrives in swinging, seaming conditions that he gets at the Gabba – and might get at some stage in Adelaide – but I still think Richardson gets the nod (if required)."
Australian pace unit did not have an exemplary preparation for the Ashes series after coming straight from the T20 World Cup. They did get a chance to play one red-ball intra-squad fixture but sadly that got washed out because of wet outfield. Though Aussies eventually managed to pick up all 20 wickets of English batsmen at the Gabba.
