Match Details
- 1st Test Match (Australia Tour Of India 2023)
- Venue – Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur
- Time – 9:30 AM IST
- Date – 9th Feb (Thursday)
Josh Hazlewood is likely to be ruled out of the first half of the Test series after recovering from an Achilles injury in his left leg after bowling in the Sydney Test last month. Hazlewood did not take an active part in Australia’s pre-series camp at Alur, apart from assisting his teammates in their training. It is however certain that he will not play in the first Test, opening the door for Scott Boland to play his first overseas Test, for the Second Test in Delhi. His availability is also in doubt considering the short turnaround between matches.
Australia got a big blow, Josh Hazlewood out of the first test
Australia has suffered a major setback ahead of the four-Test series against India. Veteran fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the first Test from February 9. He will not play in Nagpur due to injury. Not only this, Hazlewood’s playing in the second Test in Delhi is doubtful as well. Scott Boland can be included in the playing-11 in his place. He can play Test outside Australia for the first time.
Josh Hazlewood
Hazlewood is not the first Australian player to be injured ahead of the series. Before him, Mitchell Starc is troubled by a finger injury. At the same time, Cameron Green will also not bowl in the first match due to a finger injury.
Australia will certainly miss Starc’s services in Nagpur, where reverse swing has historically played a huge role. But in Hazlewood, he had a very capable replacement, especially after the very effective way he had reversed the ball on a subcontinental pitch at the SCG earlier in the year. Despite Boland’s lack of experience on Asian pitches, Hazlewood is confident that his pace partner has all the skills to make the right move. And there are many “worthy” who make an impression.
Hazlewood has now played only four Tests in the last two years
In a period plagued by injury, Hazlewood has now played only four Tests in the last two years. And having never played more than one in a series, he recently played the opening Test of the home summer against the West Indies in Perth. After which he was ruled out in the next three matches due to a side strain. He then returned for the Sydney Test against South Africa. And it is believed that the 32-year-old pacer injured his Achilles during the rain-affected encounter.
Replacement of Josh Hazlewood
Let us tell you that Cricket Australia has added fast bowler Scott Boland to its team as a replacement for the injured Josh Hazlewood. So it is expected that Boland can play in place of Hazlewood in the Nagpur Test match.
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