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The hosts, Australia have been handed a major blow with pacer Josh Hazlewood sustaining an injury ahead of the pink-ball Test, set to be played from December 6 onwards at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide. As reported by cricket.com.au, Josh Hazlewood has suffered a ‘low grade left side injury’, thus leading to his absence in the second Test of the highly-anticipated five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
Notably, this will Hazlewood’s first absence from the home Test against India. Furthermore, 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 match.
Sean Abbott and Bredan Doggett added to Australia squad for second BGT Test
With Hazlewood missing the day-night Test with side injury, Cricket Australia have added two uncapped pace pair in Sean Abbott and Bredan Doggett as cover for the second Test. The arrival of Abbott and Doggett, who moved from Queensland to South Australia with recent debutant Nathan McSweeney ahead of the 2021-22 season, sees them join Tasmania’s Beau Webster as additions to the squad for the second Test. Webster was on Thursday added as cover for Mitch Marsh, who had pulled up sore after bowling 17 overs during the Perth Test.
Recalling Hazlewood’s performance in the first Test, where the hosts suffered a daunting defeat by 295 runs, saw the right-armer finish as their best bowler in the first innings, finishing with the figures of 4/29. He was economical with 1/28 from 21 overs in the second innings.
Australia squad for second BGT Test
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster, Sean Abbott, Bredan Doggett.
