Huge blow for Australia as star pacer ruled out ahead of Adelaide Test

Prior to the build-up to the second BGT Test, Australia received a shocking blow as right-arm quick bowler Josh Hazlewood was ruled out on Saturday due to what's described as a low-grade left-side injury. The pacer who took five wickets in Australia's colossal 295-run defeat in Perth will not take part in the upcoming pink-ball Test in Adelaide starting on December 6. 

However, the 33-year-old will remain under the close supervision of the medical staff and will still continue to be a part of the squad in Adelaide to prepare for the remainder of the series.  

See also: Who is Beau Webster? The latest inclusion in Australian Test squad

Uncapped quicks Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett make an entry to the squad

Hazlewood's injury has compelled Cricket Australia to rope in two uncapped seamers Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett into the squad as a cover. Abbott while being handy with the bat averages nearly 30 with the ball in FC cricket and currently holds best figures of 8/63 in this format. The NSW fast-bowling all-rounder featured in six ODIs against India in which he claimed seven wickets. 

The Queensland-born Brendan Doggett is yet to make his international debut for Australia but has been actively performing well in the domestic circuit for quite some time now. The 30-year-old pace-bowling all-rounder has claimed 142 wickets across 40 FC games which includes his career-best figures of 7/58 whilst maintaining a formidable average of 28.63.

Opportunity for Scotty Boland to make an impact

The injury to Hazlewood has opened the doors for Scott Boland. The right-arm speedster from Melbourne has an outstanding record against India in Test cricket and his exploits with the ball in the WTC Final are still fresh in the memories of several ardent fans to this day. 

The 35-year-old has represented Australia in 10 Tests and has picked up 35 wickets at a stellar average of 20.34, Experts suggest that Boland could get a call-up ahead of Abbott and Doggett for the second Test solely due to his experience.

After being already 0-1 down in the series, Hazlewood's injury was the last thing the home side would have wished for. He was at his destructive best in the earlier pink-ball Test match in the 2020-21 BGT series where his figures of 5/8 in the second innings floored India for a record-low of 36.