Josh Hazlewood Expected to Miss Sri Lanka Test Series Due to Calf Injury: Report

New Delhi, Jan 7 (NationPress) Australia has encountered a significant hurdle before their two-Test series against Sri Lanka, starting on January 29, as senior pacer Josh Hazlewood is anticipated to be sidelined due to a recurring calf injury and side strain.

Hazlewood sustained his calf injury during the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India and subsequently missed the following two Tests of the series.

As per a report from The Sydney Morning Herald, Hazlewood is unlikely to participate in the red-ball matches in Sri Lanka, and selectors will convene on Wednesday to finalize their squad, which could consist of up to 16 players for the Test segment. An announcement is anticipated on Thursday.

The selectors are also tasked with choosing a white-ball squad for the Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Pakistan and the UAE from February 19 to March 9.

Hazlewood's potential absence compounds the unavailability of captain Pat Cummins, resulting in a notably weakened pace attack for Australia. With the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa in June and the Ashes series approaching, selectors are prioritizing Hazlewood's long-term fitness.

Conditions in Sri Lanka are expected to heavily favor spin, placing significant responsibility on Nathan Lyon, who bowled an impressive 64 overs during Australia’s last Test in Galle three years ago.

Selectors are also contemplating off-spinner Todd Murphy and left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann as backup options for Lyon.