Josh Hazlewood will miss the first Test match against South Africa at the Gabba in a frustrating setback for the Australian leader.
The 31-year-old was ruled out of the Adelaide Test against the West Indies after picking up a minor strain on his left side ahead of the pink ball match, opening the door for Michael Neser’s long-awaited return to the starting eleven.
But speaking to Fox Sports News on Sunday afternoon, Fox Cricket’s Kath Loughnan revealed that Hazlewood was not expected to recover ahead of the series opener against Proteas in Brisbane, which begins on Saturday.
“Cricket Australia have told me that Josh Hazlewood is highly unlikely to play in the series opener against South Africa,” Loughnan said.
“He is currently at home recuperating and resting.”
On Monday morning, Hazlewood was not named in a 14-man squad for the Brisbane Test, with Neser and Western Australia’s speedy Lance Morris retained.
Meanwhile, Australian test captain Pat Cummins is expected to return for the Gabba test after missing this week’s day and night meet with a quad complaint.
“Pat continues to improve, he played freely on Saturday and looks likely to play this game, although Josh will need more time,” chief selector George Bailey said in a statement.
“With that in mind, we have retained Michael Neser and Lance Morris in the squad for this game.
“Michael played magnificently in Adelaide, as did Scott (Boland). We were impressed as always with their performances backing up what they have achieved in the past. Lance is a very exciting prospect who will benefit from time with the team.
“With so much cricket ahead of us, we continue to look for opportunities to grow and maintain our experience and depth in fast bowling.”
It’s a worrying moment of déjà vu for Hazlewood, who missed four Ashes Tests last summer with a similar injury.
New South Welshman’s setback opens the door for Victorian pacemaker Scott Boland or Queensland closer Neser to keep their place in the Australian starting XI for the Gabba Test.
Boland boasts a remarkable Test record, averaging 10.00 on the ball after four matches, but Neser has been terrorizing Sheffield Shield batsmen at the Gabba for years.
However, after catching a triple-wicket maiden against the West Indies on Saturday night, Boland has apparently pushed himself to the front of the line.
“Absolutely obvious: Scott Boland will be chosen every day of the week,” former Australian test captain Ricky Ponting told Channel 7.
Former New Zealand goalkeeper Ian Smith also argued that the national selectors had no choice but to give Boland a fifth appearance on the loose green.
“Well, I think he’s going to launch into another Test match next week,” he said on Fox Cricket.
Australian Squad for Gabba Test
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner
