Josh Hazlewood ruled out of Scotland T20I series with calf injury

‌Cricket Australia (CA) took to their official website and informed that Hazlewood was set to feature in the UK series but unfortunately has suffered a low-grade calf strain while bowling at training in Sydney.

According to a statement by CA, “The injury is not severe and the 33-year-old is expected to return for the T20 and ODI series against England beginning September 11 “following a short period of rehabilitation.” Josh Hazlewood's latest setback has opened the door for Riley Meredith to return after a three-year break.

Meredith last played for Australia in 2021 against the West Indies and has since been active in the English white-ball circuit, taking 14 wickets in the T20 Blast and six in the One-Day Cup. In T20 Internationals, Meredith has accumulated eight wickets in five matches, having last played against the West Indies and New Zealand three years ago.

Originally, Hazlewood was the only main pacer selected for the T20I series against Scotland, with Pat Cummins missing the entire tour and Mitchell Starc named for the ODI series against England. Spencer Johnson, who was also part of the tour was ruled out after injuring himself in the Hundred playing for Oval Invincibles.

Australia's pace attack now features Meredith alongside Xavier Bartlett, Sean Abbott, and Nathan Ellis, supported by all-rounders Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Marcus Stoinis, and skipper Mitchell Marsh. The first T20I of the three-match series is set to begin on September 4 in Edinburgh.