'A handful': Selection debate as Josh Hazlewood ruled out of 2nd Test
Star bowler Josh Hazlewood has been officially ruled out of the pink-ball Test in Adelaide after sustaining a shoulder injury in the Ashes Series opener.
Australia are also facing a potential reshuffle at the top of the order with David Warner flying home to Sydney after sustaining a blow to the ribs.
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Hazlewood was hurt in Australia's series-opening win in Brisbane, limited to just 14 overs in England's second innings.
The cricket world questioned captain Pat Cummins' decision not to bowl Hazlewood to Root on Day 3.
Cummins attempted to allay fears of a serious injury after the game and said Hazlewood was just tired, but the tall quick appears to have pulled up worse than expected.
He returned to Sydney on Sunday for further assessment before it was confirmed he would not be fit in time for the day-night Test starting on Thursday.
Jhye Richardson will be the favourite to be named in the XI for Adelaide, while Michael Neser is another option for selectors.
But in Hazlewood, Australia have suffered a genuine blow.
The fierce bowling quartet of Hazlewood, captain Patric Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon have won all six Ashes Tests they have played together.
And fans will be ruing the loss of Hazlewood before the Adelaide Test, where the tall quick has excelled in previous years.
Hazlewood averages just 19.90 with the ball in day-night Tests, with his 32 wickets in seven matches second only to Starc for pink-ball games.
Fans react to Josh Hazlewood injury
Fans were quick to have their say on who should replace the tall quick.
Neser and Richardson have both been knocking on the door for a while and waiting for their chance.
Australia have a tantalising option in Richardson, who impressed on debut almost three years ago as an out-and-out quick before suffering his own injury setbacks.
However, Neser could be considered a better pink-ball exponent, given his ability to swing the ball.
He also tore through the England Lions last week after taking 5-29 in the Australia A match.
Michael Neser has been on the verge of a Test debut for three years, serving as Australia’s 12th man on 16 occasions, and would be considered the closest like-for-like replacement for the injured Josh Hazlewood: https://t.co/J1eDuBibl8#Ashes @newscomauHQ
📸 Getty Images pic.twitter.com/ToMg3f19fw— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) December 13, 2021
Jhye Richardson should replace josh hazlewood.He has control in his bowling. Good pace and swing. Against Sri Lanka he has performed well. So he should be picked. #Ashes #Ashes2021 #AUSvENG #australiacricket #testcricket
— Sai sreekar (@nyalkalkars27) December 13, 2021
Josh Hazlewood to miss the 2nd #Ashes test to be played under lights in Adelaide due to w mild side strain he suffered during the Gabba test. Hazlewood is world no. 3 in test bowlers ranking. Jhye Richardson, Michael Neser likely to replace him.#AUSvENG #ENGvAUS
— shashank singh (@shashank_singh2) December 13, 2021
Josh Hazlewood being out injured is obviously a blow for Aus… but I think Jhye Richardson is a fabulous bowler. Good pace, swings the ball away… could be a handful.
— Charles Dagnall (@CharlesDagnall) December 13, 2021
Michael Nesser, likely to come in to replace Josh Hazlewood, took 7 wickets against England Lions and has been a serious cricketer for some time. Not much of a downgrade.#Ashes https://t.co/DwrzeAACGk
— Cricket Badger Podcast (@cricket_badger) December 13, 2021
Following the first Test, Cummins said Hazlewood was just being rested on Day 3.
"He's a little bit sore ... It's nothing too serious," captain Cummins said afterwards.
"It wasn't scary enough to not bowl today.
"It was good he came out today and was able to bowl and get through a really good spell."
There is now less than two weeks before the start of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, with Cricket Australia confirming a decision on that match will be made "in due course".
with AAP
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