Ashes 2021-22: Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the Adelaide Test due to side strain

Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out the second Ashes Test due to side-strain. The right-pacer was seen in some discomfort during England’s second innings, wherein he managed to bowl only 14 overs. Australia skipper Pat Cummins didn’t bowl his lead pacer for the majority of day 3 of the first Test in Brisbane.

Questions were being raised on Cummins for underutilization of Hazlewood. The Australian skipper later revealed that Hazlewood picked up a side strain which why he didn’t bowl him much.

“Obviously, it’s a five-Test match series, so (we) didn’t want to try and break him yesterday. He pulled up OK today, so we’ll keep managing him.

“I think we’ll wait until he wakes up in the morning. I think a key is we don’t want to put him in jeopardy for the whole series so we’ll take our time. He had a scan last night so we will kind of work through that. He bowled today but no plan yet, sleep on it, see how he pulls up tomorrow,” said Cummins after winning the Ashes opener.

Jhye Richardson has been added to the Australia squad as replacement for Hazlewood. Richardson has so far played two Tests against Sri Lanka in 2019. Meanwhile, Australia’s opening batter David Warner is also doubtful for the match. Warner took a blow to his ribs during his 94 run inning in the first innings at Gabba

According to reports, he has also left the COVID bubble. Usman Khawaja will likely play the second Test in place of Warner.