Josh Hazlewood suffers calf strain, ruled out of T20I series versus Scotland

Australian speedster Josh Hazlewood will not play any part in the upcoming T20I series between Australia and Scotland as he has been ruled out with a calf strain.

Australia are set to play a three-match T20I series against Scotland at the Grange Cricket Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland next month. The matches will be played on September 4, 6, and 7. In Hazlewood's absence, the 2021 T20 World Cup champions have called Riley Meredith to the squad as a replacement.

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While Hazlewood has been sidelined for the Scotland tour, he is expected to be fit ahead of the subsequent white-ball series against England. The arch-rivals play a three-match T20I series, followed by a five-match ODI series in the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, Meredith has been in fine form during his stint for Somerset in the English domestic season. He made a significant impact in the T20 Blast, bagging 14 wickets at an average of 22.78, and was key to Somerset's run to the final. Additionally, the right-arm pacer claimed six wickets in three One-Day Cup matches, including an impressive 4/27 against Middlesex at Lord’s. His last T20I appearance for Australia came in July 2021 against the West Indies.

Riley Meredith, Xavier Bartlett, Sean Abbott, and Nathan Ellis are the frontline seam-bowling options for Australia on their tour of Scotland. Meanwhile, seam-bowling all-rounders like Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, and Marcus Stoinis will also be contributing when necessary. Skipper Mitchell Marsh will also roll his arm over if he is fully fit. Meanwhile, Adam Zampa will lead the spin-bowling department with uncapped Cooper Connolly for support.

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As for Hazlewood, his injury is understood to be minor. However, it would be interesting to see whether Australia risk him during the white-ball fixtures against England with the all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy lined up for later in the year. Interestingly, Hazlewood was the only member of Australia's fearsome fast-bowling troika who was initially selected for the full tour of the United Kingdom. Pat Cummins has been rested for the entire tour, while Mitchell Starc will be linking up with the team ahead of the ODIs against England.