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Veteran Australian spinner Nathan Lyon on Wednesday, December 4 emphasised on the absence of Josh Hazlewood from the second Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy, set to be played from December 6 to 10 at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide. While praising his contribution in pink-ball Test, Nathan Lyon stressed that Hazlewood’s absence will be like big shoes to fill in.
It is to be noted that Hazlewood was ruled out of the second Test after sustaining a “low grade left side injury”. Cricket Australia later on November 30 confirmed that he will miss the second Test with the selectors adding uncapped pace pair of Sean Abbott and Bredan Doggett as cover.
It’s pretty disappointing: Nathan Lyon on Josh Hazlewood missing second BGT Test
Speaking ahead of the pink-ball Test, Lyon said, “It’s pretty disappointing. The other day when he told me, about four or five days ago now, that he had a little side issue. But, yeah, the quality of a person that Josh is, he is getting around everyone, making sure that everyone’s right here first, but he’s also doing his rehab and training ball.”
“You’ve seen him doing his training tonight, and I think he did a 90-minute rehab session yesterday, so he’s the ultimate team man. To be honest mate, he puts everyone first, and you will see that this week,” he added.
Hazlewood, who finished with the figures of 4/29 in the first India innings, was one of the top-performers for the hosts in Perth. He was economical with 1/28 from 21 overs in the second innings. However, it will be the first time since the Sydney Test of 2015 that Australia will be without one of their four stalwarts in a home BGT Test match. Speaking of his record in pink-ball Test, across eight matches, the pacer has scalped 37 wickets at an impressive average of 18.86, including two five-wicket hauls.
Australia squad for second BGT Test
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster, Sean Abbott, Bredan Doggett.
