IND vs AUS: Starc, Hazlewood out of opening test; Boland likely to play first overseas test

Aussie fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the 1st test match between India and Australia scheduled to be played on Feb 9th at the VCA stadium in Nagpur. With Mitchell Starc likely to be ruled out of the 1st test as well, this comes as a massive setback for the Aussies right before the start of the BGT 2023.

Hazlewood was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au that said soggy patches in the outfield of the Sydney Cricket Ground while running in to bowl against the South Africa batters had caused the niggle and added that he will only resume bowling two days before the start of Nagpur Test.

“I was bowling a fair bit leading into the (India) tour at home and sort of just pushing up against it. It probably wasn’t recovering as well as I would have liked between each session. So thought we’d give it a few days here straight of the bat and try and get over the hump and have a bowl from Tuesday and hope it goes well.”

Hazlewood further added.

BGT 2023: Boland likely to play first overseas test

The other option in the squad is uncapped pacer Lance Morris. But for now, it seems Scott Boland is a shoo-in for his maiden overseas fixture after dominating six Tests in home conditions since a mighty successful debut via previous summer’s Ashes. 

Boland has played six Tests for Australia since his debut in the Boxing Day Test in the Ashes at the MCG and has picked 28 wickets at an average of 12.21 and strike rate of 33.2. All of those Tests have come at home and in all likelihood, Nagpur will be his first Test outside of Australia.

Cameron Green might also be unavailable for national duty

Australia could also be without their premier allrounder Cameron Green, at least on the bowling front, due to a broken finger as the surge of injuries leaves the visitors massively understrength with the ball in hand. 

Read the full story here: BGT 2023: Australia’s Cameron Green unlikely for Nagpur Test; Coach McDonald Concerned

However, Australia National Cricket Team head coach Andrew McDonald has recently stated that the young fast-bowling all-rounder Cameron Green has made ‘significant’ progress in his injury recovery.

Speaking to reporters, Andrew McDonald said that he has been surprised by Green’s recovery progress and that the all-rounder can still make the playing XI for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 opener in Nagpur. Nonetheless, a final statement is yet to be released about Green.

It is likely to leave the Aussies without three bowling options – the 32-year-old plus Mitchell Starc (finger) and Cameron Green (finger, may play but unlikely to bowl unless his recovery continues at a rapid pace).

For what is likely to be a surface encouraging the Australians to pick two spinners, Ashton Agar or Mitchell Swepson could combine forces with Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland with skipper and pace spearhead Pat Cummins. 

Check out the Australian squad for tour of India for the upcoming BGT 2023: 

Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

Also read: BGT 2023: Australia tour of India – Schedule, Results, Fixtures, Time, Date, and Venue

Thank you for reading.