3 reasons why Australia need not worry despite Josh Hazlewood being ruled out of BGT 2024-25 Test
Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test owing to a 'low-grade left side injury', as announced earlier by Cricket Australia.
The hosts suffered a massive 295-run defeat in the opening Test in Perth and will have to bounce back in the second game to level the series. The second Test, which will be a pink ball game, is scheduled to begin on December 6 in Adelaide.
However, days ahead of the Adelaide Test, the hosts have been hit with a major blow, losing premier pacer Josh Hazelwood to injury. The 33-year-old pacer was a crucial part of the side in the first Test, as he picked up five wickets, including four in the first innings.
With the trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins now to be broken, many view Hazlewood's absence as a massive blow with the hosts being 0-1 down.
However, Australia might not have to worry as much despite Hazlewood being ruled out of the second BGT 2024-25 Test.
#3 The pair of Starc and Cummins is an effective new-ball combination with Scott Boland giving the Josh Hazlewood-like control
Australia will still have the likes of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, who will lead the pace attack and are an effective combination with the new-ball to trouble the Indian batters. The duo are well experienced to take responsibility in the absence of Josh Hazlewood.
Further, Scott Boland, who is a part of the original squad, could most likely replace Hazlewood. Boland is involved in the two-day tour game in Canberra, which could also help him prepare for the Adelaide Test. He also played in the India A vs Australia A unnofficial Tests.
Boland has an impressive Test record, having played 10 games and picked up 35 wickets at an average of 20.34 and an economy of 2.79. He can provide similar control as Hazlewood and is an effective third-pacer option.
#2 Good backups available in the squad
Barring Scott Boland, Australia have some solid backup options to replace Josh Hazlewood in the line-up. Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett have been added to the squad.
Doggett impressed in the first India A vs Australia A game at Mackay, where he picked up a career best of 6/15 in the first innings, which has also earned him a callup the squad as backup option. Sean Abbott, although unlucky to not have played Test cricket yet, brings experience of first-class cricket, having played 87 games and picking up 261 wickets.
Further, Beau Webster also earned a national call-up. The 30-year-old fast-bowling all-rounder not only scored 145 runs from four innings in the two four-day matches against India A but also picked up seven wickets. Webster has played 93 forst-class matches and has grabbed 148 wickets.
#1 Hazlewood's impact could be more replaceable with India's struggles against the Pink ball
What is most important to be noted here is the fact that the second Test in Adelaide is set to be a pink ball game. Historically, Indian batters have had their fair share of struggles against the pink ball.
Back in 2018 at Adelaide, India were bowled out for just 36 runs in the first innings in the pink ball Test and ended up losing the game as well. Despite their win here in Perth, the pink ball will present a strong challenge, which could prove to be a major threat.
Despite Josh Hazlewood's solid record, this could probably be the best time to have lost him to injury for Australia. Given the presence of Starc and Cummins, with the solid backups available in the squad, Hazlewood's impace is pretty much replaceable.