Australia’s tour of India has been dealt a blow as fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the first Test due to an Achilles injury. Hazlewood picked up the injury on his left leg during the Sydney Test in January and has not taken part in Australia’s pre-series training camp in Alur.
The 32-year-old’s absence from the first Test means that the visitors will be without three key bowlers for the opener of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, with Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green still recovering from finger injuries.
Scott Boland is now in line to make his overseas Test debut and will join Pat Cummins, with Lance Morris next in line. Hazlewood has expressed his support for his likely replacement and believes that Boland and Morris are well-equipped to handle the challenges of playing in the subcontinent.
The first Test will take place in Nagpur, India on February 9, and Hazlewood will be racing against time to be fit for the second Test, which is scheduled to begin just three days later. The injury is a significant setback for the Australian side, and they will be hoping for a swift recovery for Hazlewood and their other injured bowlers.
