Josh Hazlewood’s side strain has put Australia in a tough spot before the second Test against India at the Adelaide Oval. The star pacer, vital in the opening Test with 4/29 in Perth, has been ruled out of the day-night clash. Australia must now rethink their bowling strategy. Hazlewood’s absence is a big blow for the hosts. They trail 0-1 in the four-match series after a 295-run loss in the first Test.
Hazlewood’s Absence and its Impact
The injury is the first since Hazlewood’s Test debut in 2014. It will cause him to miss a home game against India. Hazlewood’s accuracy and pressure are legendary. He is often compared to Glenn McGrath. With 278 Test wickets, Hazlewood has his own legacy. He excels at stopping runs, with a 2.77 economy rate in 71 Tests.
In the first Test, Hazlewood’s extra bounce dismissed Virat Kohli. His control and consistency then stifled the Indian batting lineup. His record at Adelaide Oval further highlights his importance. He famously dismantled India for 36 in their second innings in the 2020 pink-ball Test. He took 5/8 in a devastating spell.
Without Hazlewood, skipper Pat Cummins will lack both a potent wicket-taking option and the control that has been central to Australia’s bowling strategy.
Replacement Options: Boland, Abbott, and Doggett
The squad has added Scott Boland, Sean Abbott, and Brendan Doggett as potential replacements. Among them, Boland is the frontrunner to step into Hazlewood’s shoes. Aged 35, the swing bowler made headlines in the 2021 Boxing Day Test. He took 6 wickets for 7 runs against England. Boland’s limited Test experience is a concern. But, his consistency and skill with the pink ball make him a strong choice.
Abbott, a white-ball specialist, is less likely to play. Doggett has impressed in recent domestic outings. However, if both Doggett and Boland participate, they will achieve a historic first for Australian cricket. Two Indigenous players would then be in the same Test lineup.
Adelaide Test Challenges for Australia
Australia faces a bad time with Hazlewood’s injury. There are worries about Mitch Marsh’s bowling fitness. Marsh, the team’s fourth seamer, has soreness after the Perth Test. He may only play as a specialist batter in Adelaide. As a contingency, all-rounder Beau Webster has been called up, though his role in the second Test remains uncertain.
Australia’s bowling attack, long led by Starc, Hazlewood, and Cummins, now faces a big disruption. With Starc leading the charge, the team will need to rework their strategies to avoid falling into a 0-2 deficit in the series.
Historical Context and What’s at Stake
This predicament is eerily similar to India’s 2020-21 tour of Australia. There, India lost Mohammed Shami to injury after a humiliating defeat in Adelaide. However, India rallied to win the series 2-1. Australia will hope to find similar inspiration to recover from this setback.
With the pink-ball Test next week, they miss Hazlewood. His reliability with the ball and impressive record in Adelaide leave a void that will be hard to fill. For the hosts, this is a key moment in the series. Their ability to adapt will decide if they can keep it alive.
