Test Cricket: Australian fast bowler Hazlewood out of first test against South Africa

Brisbane. Australia’s fast bowler Josh Hazlewood will not be able to play in the first Test cricket match against South Africa starting in Gabba from Saturday due to injury. In place of Hazlewood, either of Scott Boland and Michael Neser can get a place in the playing XI. Hazlewood and captain Pat Cummins did not play in the second Test cricket match against the West Indies. Australia had a clean sweep in the two-match series by winning this match by 419 runs. He won the first Test match in Perth by 164 runs.

In the absence of Hazlewood and Cummins, Boland and Neser took charge of the fast bowling department along with Mitchell Starc and brought significant success to the team. Cummins is back for the matches against South Africa but the selectors will have to choose between Boland and Neser as the third pacer. Boland has taken 21 wickets in four Tests at an average of 10.33 but the Gabba is Neser’s home ground and he is familiar with the conditions here.

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Cummins said he is 100 per cent fit for the Brisbane Test but Hazlewood is yet to fully recover from the hamstring injury. Australia have also included fast bowler Lance Morris and batsman Marcus Harris in the 14-man squad. Australia squad: Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Michael Neser, Marcus Harris, Lance Morris.