Australia suffers setback ahead of upcoming T20 series, Josh Hazlewood ruled out due to injury

Fast bowler and veteran to the side, Josh Hazlewood, has been ruled out from Australia's upcoming T20 series against Scotland due to a calf strain that he sustained last week at training. The 33-year-old with an injury cloud is most likely to be available for England's white-ball tour of Australia from September 11. Reports from ESPNcricinfo. The selection committee has included Riley Meredith in place of Hazlewood, who has been waiting for a comeback into the team for the last three years, in the squad. Meredith last represented Australia against the West Indies in 2021.

The Hazelwood injury is the second to one of their quicks to be ruled out from the T20 series against Scotland before embarking on the UK tour. Only just last week, Healy-born Spencer Johnson had to be ruled out of the entire tour after suffering an injury while playing for the Oval Invincibles in The Hundred. Now, Australia will feel it harder in this area, going with a completely fresh quartet of pacers in Meredith, Xavier Bartlett, Sean Abbott, and Nathan Ellis.

The pace attack will be further bolstered by all-rounders Cameron Green, Aaron Hardy, Marcus Stoinis, and probable captain Mitchell Marsh. Meanwhile, the spin department will have the experienced spinner Adam Zampa and young uncapped Cooper Connolly. The tour will feature three T20 Internationals, with the first match scheduled for September 4 in Edinburgh.