Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Test in Adelaide of the ongoing Ashes 2021-22 after suffering a mild side strain during the first Test against England in Brisbane.
Hazlewood picked up the key wickets of Dawid Malan and Joe Root in his first three overs to help Australia bowl out for 147 in the first innings, but he could bowl just 14 overs in the second innings, dismissing Jos Buttler.
Scans showed a "very minor" strain during the first Ashes Test at The Gabba, Brisbane.
His injury has now paved the way for either Jhye Richardson or Michael Neser to break into Australia’s playing XI for the second match, which will be a day-night Test against England, starting on December 16 in Adelaide.
Notably, Hazlewood has taken 32 wickets in 7 day-night Tests so far.
Hazlewood flew home to Sydney on Sunday (December 12) for further assessment, with the focus on being ready for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne from December 26–30.
Cricket Australia in a media release on Monday (December 13): “Hazlewood 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.”
Notably, David Warner is also under an injury cloud with bruised ribs, which forced him to be out of the field during England's second innings, as well, didn’t bat in the small chase of 20 runs at The Gabba.
(With Reuters Inputs)
