BGT 2024-25: Hazlewood Excluded from Second Test; Uncapped Abbott and Doggett Added to Australia's Roster
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Melbourne, Nov 30 (NationPress) Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has been excluded from participating in the second Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India due to a side strain.
In his place, Australia has added Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett, both of whom are yet to make their Test debuts, to the squad. However, it is anticipated that Scott Boland will step in for Josh Hazlewood in the playing XI for the day-night Test.
As per a statement from Cricket Australia, Hazlewood is dealing with a low-grade left side injury and will remain with the squad in Adelaide to concentrate on his recovery. He will be preparing with the team for the rest of the series.
This incident marks Hazlewood's first absence from a home Test against India, and it is also the first occasion since the 2015 Sydney Test that Australia will be without one of their four key players - Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon - in a home Border-Gavaskar Trophy match. These four players had participated together in nine consecutive home Tests against India.
Hazlewood was the leading bowler for Australia in the first Test against India in Perth, achieving figures of 5 for 57 across 34 overs. It is likely that Boland, who is set to captain the PM's XI against India in the two-day tour match in Canberra, will replace Hazlewood in the playing XI. His previous Test appearance was in the Ashes Test in Leeds in 2023.
The absence of Hazlewood poses a significant setback for the hosts, currently trailing 0-1 in the five-match series. The pacer was crucial the last time India played in Adelaide during a pink-ball, day-night Test in December 2021. In that match, he delivered a phenomenal spell, taking 5 for 8 in just 5 overs, which contributed to India's collapse at 36 for 9. Hazlewood also started the current series strongly in Perth, claiming 4 for 29 in the first innings as India was bowled out for 150. Even in the second innings, where India scored heavily, he maintained remarkable control, conceding only 28 runs in 21 overs.
Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett join the squad following impressive performances in the Sheffield Shield. Abbott, who has been on the verge of the Test team, recorded 4 for 71 in 16 overs against Tasmania at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the last round and has amassed 261 first-class wickets to date. Doggett recently achieved a five-wicket haul against Western Australia, bringing his total to 11 wickets in three Shield matches. He also delivered a career-best 6 for 15 against India A in McKay, just prior to this series.
Both pacers have been included in Test squads previously but are yet to make their debuts. Doggett was part of the squad for the 2018 series against Pakistan in the UAE, while Abbott was included during the 2020-21 home series against India and served as a reserve during last year’s Ashes.
