Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the second Test against West Indies after suffering a side strain

Australia will have to make do without one of their finest bowlers for the ongoing Test with West Indies, Josh Hazlewood. Hazlewood couls also be in doubt for the approaching series against South Africa after copping a side strain.

Initially, Hazlewood's withdrawal from the contest was linked to general soreness but then after the injury was further delved into, it was revealed that it was a side strain that has now jeopardized his chances of featuring in the series against South Africa as well. He will be returning to Sydney today and will be assessed further after the Caribbean series.

Michael Neser has been introduced into the Australian pace attack in place of Hazlewood. This was the second forced change of the day for the Kangaroos after Scott Boland was summoned to fill the boots of Pat Cummins before the second Test started.

Talking about Hazlewood’s injury on Channel 7, Australian Test skipper, Pat Cummins said, “I feel for Joshy, he's pretty understandably flat. It's a low-level strain on his side. He was a little bit sore after the last Test match, had a bowl in the nets yesterday to prove his fitness and was a bit sorer than we'd all hoped."

Josh Hazlewood finished as the second-highest wicket-taker for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2022, finishing his campaign with 20 scalps, 6 adrift of Wanindu Hasaranga, the highest wicket-taker for RCB in the tournament. We wish you a speedy recovery, Josh.