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After reclaiming the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series after a drought of 10 years and securing a spot in the World Test Championship final, set to be played in June 2025, Australia will next move their action towards the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. The upcoming tour of Sri Lanka is of high importance, but the visitors have been handed a massive blow with Josh Hazlewood likely to miss the upcoming series.
The veteran Aussie pacer Josh Hazlewood, who was in and out of the squad in the BGT 2024-25, is likely to miss the Sri Lanka tour due to recurrent calf issue and side strain. According to a report in The Sydney Morning Herald, Hazlewood is not expected to participate in the red-ball series.
Pat Cummins to miss Sri Lanka tour; Steve Smith to lead: Reports
It is to be noted that Hazlewood missed the following two Test matches of the BGT 2024-25 after hurting his calf in the third Test at the Gabba in Brisbane. Apart from Hazlewood, Australia captain Pat Cummins is likely to give the upcoming Test tour to Sri Lanka a miss due to the impending birth of his second child. If the 31-year-old is not going to play the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka in Galle at the turn of the month, then Steve Smith might get thrusted into taking the captaincy from him for the time being.
When Pat Cummins was asked about whether he will be available for the upcoming Test tour to Sri Lanka, he responded, as per cricket.com.au, “We'll wait and see.” The Australian captain also alluded to the reason as to why he might not travel to Sri Lanka later this month for the two-match series, stating, “Becky (Pat Cummins’ wife) is hanging on at the moment (due to give birth to their second child), so we'll play by it by ear. But most likely I might struggle to get over there.”
The selectors are likely to meet on Wednesday, January 8 to finalise the squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour, which includes two Tests and a solitary ODI. Additionally, the selectors will also pick a squad for the Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be held from february 19 onwards in Pakistan and the UAE.
