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Josh Hazlewood ruled out of India Tests, Andrew McDonald confirms

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Last updated on 20 Feb 2023 | 07:34 AM
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Josh Hazlewood ruled out of India Tests, Andrew McDonald confirms

The Australia fast bowler will continue to recover from the achillies heel injury back home in Sydney

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has confirmed fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled of the India Tests as he continues to recover from an achilles heel injury, according to Cricket.com.au. Hazlewood has not featured in any of the two Tests so far, but Australia do have the services of Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and uncapped Lance Morris, if needed.

Australia are 2-0 down in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, following defeats in Nagpur and most recently in Delhi. Skipper Pat Cummins too has flown back home home for personal reasons but is expected to lead Australia in the third Test in Indore, starting March 1.

As far as Hazlewood is concerned, he had been training hard in India but has been unable to shake-off the injury and will now continue his recovery at home in Sydney. He has also not been cleared to play for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield as yet.

However, Australia d have some good news. Cameron Green is 100% fit to play the third Test, while Starc too remains in contention. Cummins was the sole pacer in the Delhi Test as Matthew Kuhnemann played as the third spinner alongside Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy.

Murphy complained of a side injury in Delhi, but McDonald believes there's enough time for him to recover ahead of Indore Test. “He had a slight niggle in the side,” McDonald told reporters on Monday (February 20). 

“It looks as though the timeframe between now and the next Test should be enough to resolve that. So he'll have not a test but he'll have a good workout two days before … it looks good.”

Australia may also have to ring in the changes at the top as David Warner faces race against time to be fit for the rest of the series after suffering a hairline fracture on his left elbow. Travis Head opened the innings in Delhi in the second innings as Warner was ruled out due to a concussion. 

He top-scored a counter-attacking 46-ball 43 and after missing the first Test, could be retained at the top of the order if Warner fails to recover.

Australia lost the first Test in Nagpur by an innings and 132 runs. Despite being in command in the second Test in Delhi, a batting collapse on Day Three saw India cash in and go on to win the game by six wickets. The hosts as a result have retained the Border-Gavaskat Trophy.

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