Josh Hazlewood will miss the first Test match against South Africa at the Gabba in a frustrating setback for the Australian.
The 31-year-old was sidelined for the Adelaide Test against the West Indies after suffering a low-grade left side strain ahead of the pink-ball game, opening the door for Michael Neser’s long-awaited return to the starting eleven.
But speaking to Fox Sports News on Sunday afternoon, Fox Cricket’s Kath Loughnan revealed that Hazlewood was not expected to recover before the series opener against the Proteas in Brisbane, which starts on Saturday.
“I’ve been told by Cricket Australia that Josh Hazlewood is highly unlikely to play in the series opener against South Africa,” Loughnan said.
“He is currently at home recovering and resting.”
Hazlewood was not named in a 14-man squad for the Brisbane Test on Monday morning, with Neser and West Australian quick Lance Morris retained.
Meanwhile, Australian Test captain Pat Cummins is expected to return for the Gabba Test after missing this week’s day-night competition with a quad complaint.
“Pat continues to improve, was free on Saturday and looks likely to play this game, although Josh will need more time,” head selector George Bailey said in a statement.
“With that in mind, we have retained Michael Neser and Lance Morris in the squad for this game.
“Michael played superbly in Adelaide, as did Scott (Boland). He impressed us as always with his performances which backed up what they have achieved in the past. Lance is a very exciting prospect who will benefit from time with team
“With so much cricket ahead of us, we continue to look for opportunities to grow and maintain our fast bowling experience and depth.”
It’s a worrying moment of deja vu for Hazlewood, who missed four Ashes Tests last summer with a similar injury.
Australia’s Josh Hazlewood. Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images Source: Getty Images
The New South Welshman’s setback opens the door for Victorian paceman Scott Boland or Queensland puncher Neser to retain their place in Australia’s starting XI for the Gabba Test.
Boland has a remarkable Test record, averaging 10.00 with the ball after four matches, but Neser has been terrorizing Sheffield Shield batsmen at the Gabba for years.
However, after bagging a triple-wicket maiden against the West Indies on Saturday evening, Boland seems to have pushed himself to the front of the queue.
“Absolute no-brainer – Scott Boland will be picked every day of the week,” former Australian Test captain Ricky Ponting told Channel 7.
Former New Zealand goalkeeper Ian Smith also argued that the national selectors had no choice but to give Boland a fifth appearance on the green.
“Well, I think another Test match will be played next week,” he told Fox Cricket.
Australian squad for Gabba Test
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner