Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the second Ashes Test in Adelaide with side strain
Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Ashes Test in Adelaide after sustaining a side injury in Australia’s nine-wicket win over England in Brisbane.
Cricket Australia (CA) said in a statement Hazlewood had returned to Sydney on Sunday afternoon for further assessment and rehabilitation, with a decision on his fitness for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne to be made “in due course”.
Australia take a 14-man squad to Adelaide on Monday morning including fast bowlers Michael Neser and Jhye Richardson, and leg spinner Mitchell Swepson.
#Ashes Update | Josh Hazlewood will miss the second Vodafone Ashes Test in Adelaide with a side injury.
He returned to Sydney yesterday afternoon for further assessment and rehabilitation with a decision on his fitness for the Boxing Day Test to be made in due course.
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) December 12, 2021
CA said selectors will choose a squad for the Melbourne and Sydney Tests following the Adelaide match.
England head coach Chris Silverwood has, meanwhile, hinted James Anderson and Stuart Broad are likely to be back in the side.
The decision to leave out the two leading wicket-takers in the country’s history for the series opener at The Gabba proved divisive, with concerns over Anderson’s match sharpness and Broad overlooked.
The second Test is a day/night affair under floodlights, with both men having used the past few days to hone their skills with the pink Kookaburra which will be used.
Australia Ashes squad
Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith (vc), Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner.
Schedule
First Test: Australia won by nine wickets
Second Test: December 16-20, Adelaide Oval
Third Test: December 26-30, MCG
Fourth Test: January 5-9, SCG
Fifth Test: January 14-18, Blundstone Arena