BGT 2024/25: Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the Adelaide Test due to side strain; replacements announced

It is expected that Scott Boland, who is a like-for-like replacement of Hazlewood, is set to replace him for the Pink Ball Test.

BGT 2024/25: Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the Adelaide Test due to side strain; replacements announced

BGT 2024/25: Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the Adelaide Test due to side strain; replacements announced (Via X)

Australia have suffered a big loss going into the second Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 in Adelaide. Their premier pacer, Josh Hazlewood, has been ruled out of the Day/Night Test match in Adelaide with a side strain. This comes up as a setback to the Aussies after they lost the first Test of the series by 295 runs.

Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett have found their places in the squad as cover for Hazlewood. However, it is expected that Scott Boland, who is a like-for-like replacement of Hazlewood, is set to replace him for the Pink Ball Test.

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The Pink Ball moves a bit more under lights, and hence Hazlewood, who bowls an impeccable line and length will be a big miss for Pat Cummins‘ side as they are already trailing in the series. However, they will expect Boland to step up just like he stepped up in the World Test Championship 2023 Final against India at the Oval.

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Josh Hazlewood picked up five wickets in the first Test match against India in Perth

Although Australia lost the Test match, Hazlewood was sensational in his own ways as he scalped four wickets in the first innings to bundle the Indian team for 150 runs. However, the batters could not replicate the performance of the bowlers. In the second innings, Hazlewood picked up just one wicket and did not quite affect the game.

Josh Hazlewood picked up five wickets in the first Test match against India in Perth
Josh Hazlewood picked up five wickets in the first Test match against India in Perth (Via X)

If Boland does get into the playing XI, it will be his first appearance since the Ashes Test match against England in Leeds. He does have a good record at home and will look to get into the groove soon enough with the Pink ball in hand. Boland has played 10 Test matches and has picked up 35 wickets at an average of 20.74 with a strike-rate of 43.74.

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Australia will look to bounce back strong in the second Test to level the series. They have not won the BGT since the 2014/15 series at home. They have lost four on the trot (two at home and two away from home).

India have registered 2-1 series victories in the last two Test series in Australia. However, Australia did win the Pink Ball Test in Adelaide last time around in 2020-21. The Indian team was dismissed for 36 in the second innings and Hazlewood played a big part in achieving the feat.