Is Aaron Hardie Out of the Australia 'A' Tour of India Due to a Shoulder Injury?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Aaron Hardie out for one month due to shoulder injury.
- Will Sutherland steps in for Hardie.
- Hardie has been vital for Australia A's white-ball success.
- Injuries have already affected the squad's preparation.
- Focus on players stepping up in Hardie’s absence.
Melbourne, Sep 11 (NationPress) Australia A faces yet another setback before their multi-format tour of India as allrounder Aaron Hardie is ruled out due to a shoulder injury. Hardie sustained an injury to his left shoulder during state training last Friday and is anticipated to be out of action for approximately a month.
According to a statement from Cricket Australia, "Hardie will undergo focused rehabilitation in Perth over the next few weeks, with a possibility of returning to play early in the Sheffield Shield season."
Will Sutherland, who was already a part of the Australia A squad for three 50-over matches in Kanpur, has been activated for the second red-ball match in Lucknow starting on September 23.
Hardie has consistently contributed to Australia’s senior white-ball teams over the last two years, participating in 15 ODIs and 16 T20 internationals. During the T20 series against the West Indies in July, which Australia clinched 5-0, he made significant contributions with scores of 23 and an unbeaten 28, alongside taking three wickets over two matches. He also participated in two ODIs and one T20 against South Africa last month.
The right-handed all-rounder missed part of last summer’s season due to a persistent quad injury but successfully returned in February, aiding Australia A in securing an innings win over the England Lions by claiming three wickets in the second innings.
Sutherland enters the 'A' series after a fruitful northern summer with Yorkshire in the T20 Blast, where he accumulated 208 runs with a top score of 58 and captured 10 wickets across 12 games.
The 25-year-old also featured in two first-class matches during his county stint, taking three wickets against Sussex before his return to Australia to lead the Renegades in the Top End T20 tournament in Darwin.
Australia A has already been impacted by injuries leading up to the series against India, losing both Lance Morris and Callum Vidler previously.