Australia are trailing 0-1 in the five-Test series after losing to India in Perth.
Australian skipper Pat Cummins opened up about the one change that his team will make for the pink-ball Test against India, starting Friday (December 6) at the Adelaide Oval.
The hosts are trailing 0-1 in the five-match series after losing the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Perth by 295 runs.
On the eve of the second Test, Cummins addressed a press conference, where he confirmed that Scott Boland will play in place of injured Josh Hazlewood.
“All last summer he was kind of geared up to go and no-one fell over. He’s happy with how it’s coming out, and his rhythm. As a captain, it’s pretty awesome for someone like Scotty to come straight in,” Cummins said.
Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Test with a low-grade left side injury. As a result, uncapped pacers Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett have been included in the squad.
“He’s really confident for the Gabba,” said Cummins of Hazlewood. “He had a good bowl yesterday [Wednesday] only like three quarters [pace]. It went beautifully.
“It’s probably the right call in hindsight. I think in previous years, we just kept bowling [him]. It’s probably turned that one-week injury into a three, four or five week injury, whereas this year it seems a little bit different.”
Hazlewood’s absence comes as a body blow for the Aussies. He had delivered a memorable spell against India in Adelaide during their last day-night Test in December 2021, claiming 5 for 8 in five overs.
During the Perth Test last week, Hazlewood returned with five wickets, including the figures of 4/29 in the first innings.
There were also doubts regarding Mitchell Marsh’s fitness and whether the all-rounder would be able to bowl. However, Cummins clarified that Marsh is ready to chip in with a few overs after refraining from bowling in the nets and taking rest.
Australia’s playing XI for second Test: Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.