Josh Hazlewood will miss the 1st Test against South Africa at the Gabba in Brisbane due to a side strain injury. The 31-year-old was omitted from the Australian Test squad that recently clean-swept West Indies in the two-match Test series.
The Australian skipper, Pat Cummins is set to return to the playing X1 after being rested in the second Test due to a quad injury. His return would leave Michael Neser and Scott Boland to maintain the third pacer’s spot in the X1, which was taken by the latter in the previous Test.
Josh Hazlewood will miss the 1st Test against South Africa at the Gabba in Brisbane due to a side strain injury. The 31-year-old was omitted from the Australian Test squad that recently clean-swept West Indies in the two-match Test series.
“Pat continues to improve, bowled with freedom on Saturday and appears likely to play this match although Josh will need more time,”
said chief selector George Bailey.
“With that in mind, we have retained Michael Neser and Lance Morris in the squad for this match.
“Michael bowled superbly in Adelaide, as did Scott. We were impressed as always with their performances that backed up what they have achieved in the past. Lance is a very exciting prospect who will benefit from time with the squad.
“With so much cricket ahead, we continue to seek opportunities to grow and maintain our fast-bowling experience and depth.”
The Australian team’s physiotherapist says Hazlewood’s soreness was subsiding and it was different to the injury that kept him on the sidelines for most of the last southern summer.
“We are a bit more confident that once that little bit of soreness he’s got settles down, he will be able to ramp up his bowling a bit quicker,”
“And then hopefully he’ll be available for one of the last couples of tests of the summer.”
Australia squad: Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Michael Neser, Marcus Harris, Lance Morris.