Josh Hazlewood, an Australian speedster, has ruled himself out of the forthcoming T20I series between Scotland and Australia due to a calf problem.
The Grange Cricket Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland will host a three-match Twenty20 International series between Australia and Scotland the following month. The games are scheduled for September 4, 6, and 7. Riley Meredith has been called up to the squad by the 2021 T20 World Cup winners to fill in for Hazlewood.
Despite missing the Scotland tour, Josh Hazlewood should be well in time for the upcoming white-ball series against England.
The three-match T20I series between the bitter rivals is followed by a five-match ODI series in the UK. During his time playing for Somerset in the English domestic season, Meredith has been doing admirably. He was crucial to Somerset’s run to the final in the T20 Blast, taking 14 wickets at an average of 22.78. He made a big impression. In addition, the right-arm bowler grabbed six wickets in three One-Day Cup games, including a thrilling 4/27 at Lord’s against Middlesex. He played his final Twenty20 International match for Australia against the West Indies in July 2021.
Australia’s seam-bowling options on their Scotland tour are Riley Meredith, Xavier Bartlett, Sean Abbott, and Nathan Ellis. All-round seam bowlers like Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie, and Cameron Green will also chip in when needed. If in optimal condition, Skipper Mitchell Marsh will also extend his arm. Adam Zampa will take charge of the spin-bowling division in the interim, with uncapped Cooper Connolly providing support.
Regarding Hazlewood, it is believed that his wound is not serious. But with the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy scheduled for later in the year, it would be intriguing to watch if Australia takes a chance on him in the white-ball matches against England. Fascinatingly, Hazlewood was the only one of Australia’s formidable fast-bowling troika to be chosen for the entire tour of the United Kingdom at first.
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For the duration of the tour, Pat Cummins has been rested, and Mitchell Starc will acclimatise himself and the team prior to the ODI series against England.
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