Sunil Gavaskar drops wild theory about Josh Hazlewood's 'strange' withdrawal from second Test
Gavaskar claims Australia is panicking after the first Test defeat.
Indian cricket great Sunil Gavaskar believes there is something "strange" about Josh Hazlewood pulling out of the second Test with a side strain. Hazlewood was one of the few bright lights in an Australian side that promised a lot but delivered very little in the first Test defeat to India in Perth.
And on Saturday the Aussies were dealt a fresh blow ahead of the second Test, with Hazlewood ruled out of the match in Adelaide, while Mitch Marsh is also in doubt. Hazlewood was Australia's best bowler in Perth, troubling the visitors with the swinging ball on day one. The Aussie quick finished the first innings with 4-29 and the second with 1-28.
His absence in Adelaide is a huge loss for the hosts. But Gavaskar believes there is more to it than the side strain being reported, hypothesising it could also have to do with an interview the Aussie quick gave, which sparked fears of a potential divide in the Australian team after seemingly laying the blame for the first Test defeat on the batsmen.
“The panic in the Australian ranks is palpable, what with former players calling for heads to be chopped off and even some hinting at cracks in the Australian team after Josh Hazlewood's media interview where he suggested it was up to the batters to now do something," Gavaskar wrote in a column in the 'Indian Sportstar'.
"Now, a few days later, Hazlewood is out of the second Test and possibly the series with a supposed side strain. Strange that, since nobody had noticed anything wrong with Hazlewood at that media conference. Mystery, mystery ... the likes of which used to be common in Indian cricket. Now it’s the Aussies and, like old (Australian coach Andrew) McDonald, I’m loving it.’"
Australian team unlikely to change much for second Test
The Aussie batting line-up has been under immense pressure heading into the day-night Test in Adelaide having failed to score enough runs in Perth. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith are the two most out of form and calls are mounting for both to be dropped.
While McDonald is unlikely to make changes to the batting line-up after the first Test his hand will be forced to change the bowling order. After Cricket Australia announced the news that Hazlewood was out of the second Test, Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett were both brought into the squad. But despite the duo being brought into the side, Scott Boland is the most likely replacement for Hazlewood. The Aussie quick has always delivered when handed the baggy green and the 35-year-old will enjoy the movement with the pink ball.
Mitch Marsh in doubt for second Test against India
Hazlewood is not the only injury concern for the Aussies, with Marsh also in doubt after being called upon to bowl 17 overs in the first Test in Perth. Marsh has not been a regular with the ball since his return to the Test fold, but due to the absence of Cameron Green, he was called on to help out the veteran bowling attack. And he reportedly pulled up very sore following the first Test.
Australian coach McDonald claimed the all-rounder was in doubt for the day-night Test due to his fitness. “We knew that Mitch was slightly underdone coming in but I thought the performance in the first innings was satisfactory,” McDonald said when leaving Perth.
Marsh has since declared he will be fit to play in Adelaide, but there are reports he might be used as a batter only. If he can't bowl in Adelaide, selectors might opt to bring in Beau Webster, either to replace Marsh or even Hazlewood, considering his all-round abilities, which would lengthen Australia's struggling batting order.
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Last month, Webster was one of the few standouts in the Australia A game against India having scored 33 and 61 not out in the first win. He then backed it up with figures of 3-49 in the second hit-out having also scored 46 not out in the second innings.
And in the Sheffield Shield last week, Webster has starred for Tasmania against NSW. The all-rounder finished the first innings with 61 runs off 81 balls and then took 3-81.
