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- Published: February 5, 2023 12:59
New Delhi: Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood is set to miss the first Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to a niggle in his left leg. Hazlewood is also doubtful for the second Test match in Delhi. Hazlewood’s exclusion has paved the way for Scott Boland to play his first overseas Test.
A series of injuries have made the Australian pacer play only four Test games in the last two years. He got injured in November 2022 and missed the second Test against West Indies and two Tests against South Africa. Coming back in the Sydney Test against the Proteas, he caught up with the niggle and has been unable to recover.
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Hazlewood said the niggle was caused due to bowling after rain and damp run-ups at the SCG. He did not bowl much during Australia’s training camp in Alur on the outskirts of Bengaluru and will be resuming bowling two days before the Nagpur Test.
With his exclusion, the problems for the Aussies have just increased as they will be missing the services of Mitchell Starc due to a finger injury and Cameroon Green, if plays, might not be bowling due to an injured finger.
Boland has represented Australia in six Tests, picking up 28 wickets at an average of 12.21. Captain Pat Cummins will be leading the pace attack for the visitors and they might even give Lance Morris a debut. Morris has picked 59 wickets in 18 First Class games and has said to be working on his reverse swing.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will kickstart in Nagpur on February 9.