Australia Recruits Uncapped Players Following Hazlewood Injury

Following seamer Josh Hazlewood’s injury-related withdrawal, Australia has brought in uncapped players Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett for the upcoming second Test match against India. Hazlewood had previously secured five wickets for Australia during the first Test against India. Cricket Australia confirmed that Hazlewood would be unavailable for the day-night fixture at the Adelaide Oval, citing a “low grade left side injury”. Despite his absence from the match, the 33-year-old, who boasts a record of 278 wickets across 71 Test appearances, is set to stay with the Australian squad in Adelaide to continue preparations for the remainder of the series. In the first innings of the initial Test, Hazlewood distinguished himself as Australia’s top bowler, achieving figures of 4-29 as India was bowled out for 150 runs. The position Hazlewood vacates for the second Test, scheduled to commence on 6 December, is largely anticipated to be filled by the seasoned seamer Scott Boland. Abbott, aged 32, has represented Australia in limited-overs formats, securing 29 wickets in 26 one-day internationals and 26 wickets in 20 T20 internationals; however, he has yet to make his debut in Test cricket. In first-class cricket, he has accumulated 261 wickets over 87 matches. Doggett, while never having played for Australia, was included as an unused squad member during the 2018 Test series against Pakistan. The 30-year-old bowler has claimed 142 wickets across 40 first-class matches and achieved his best career figures of 6-15 while playing for Australia A against India A in October. Additionally, uncapped Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster was added to the squad earlier this week to provide cover for Mitchell Marsh, who is experiencing fitness issues after Australia’s loss in the first Test held in Perth. BBC Sport offers comprehensive ball-by-ball commentary and highlights for India’s ongoing tour of Australia. The full squad includes Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Sean Abbott, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland, and Beau Webster.