Hazlewood’s injury opens door for Boland in Adelaide Test

Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Test against India in Adelaide due to a side strain, paving the way for Scott Boland’s likely return to the playing XI.

Hazlewood’s absence is a significant blow for Australia, given his exceptional performance in the opening Test in Perth, where he claimed 4-29 in India’s first innings and bowled economically in the second.

The nature of his injury, described as a “low-grade left side injury,” also raises questions about his availability for the remainder of the Test Cricket series.

Scott Boland, who last played a Test in July 2023 during the Ashes, is expected to lead the attack in Adelaide where they are $1.78 favourites with the top online bookmakers to tie up the series.

The paceman is currently playing in the Prime Minister’s XI match against India at Manuka Oval, where he is heading the bowling unit in a two-day, day-night encounter.

Boland has a strong history at the Adelaide Oval, where he impressed during the 2022 Test against the West Indies, finishing with match figures of 3-45.

To bolster the squad, uncapped bowlers Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett have been called up.

Abbott, a 32-year-old with significant white-ball experience, has been on the fringes of the Test team for several years.

With 261 first-class wickets to his name, including 13 scalps at an average of 19.84 this Shield season, Abbott enters the squad in strong form.

Doggett, a proud descendant of the Worimi people of northern NSW, is aiming to become just the fifth Indigenous player to earn the prestigious Baggy Green.

The 30-year-old has been in fine touch, recently delivering a career-best 6-15 against India A in Mackay and a five-wicket haul against Western Australia in Sheffield Shield action.

If selected, Doggett would join an elite group of Indigenous Test cricketers, including Jason Gillespie, Faith Thomas, Ash Gardner, and Boland.

The squad also features Tasmania’s Beau Webster, who was added as cover for Mitch Marsh after the all-rounder experienced soreness following his 17-over spell in Perth.

Australia, assembling in Adelaide this weekend for the day-night Test, will be eager to regroup after their 295-run defeat in the series opener.

The inclusion of fresh talent and Boland’s return provides an opportunity to reset and strengthen the bowling attack as the team looks to level the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Australia squad (for second 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

India squad

Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar. Reserves: Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal

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