Sydney: The Australian Test team received yet another blow on Monday as pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the tour due to injury.
Earlier in the day, Cricket Australia announced skipper Pat Cummins, who is also a key lead bowler of the squad, will return home ahead of the third Test due to a serious family illness.
Under Cummins leadership, Australia missed the oppurtunity to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after India defeated the side in the first two tests.
India are currently 2-0 up in the series.
However, Cummins was en route to Sydney on Sunday but is expected to get back to India in time to play the final two matches in Indore and Ahmedabad.
Australia coach Andrew McDonald has however revealed Hazlewood is heading home to continue his rehabilitation from an Achilles complaint that has sidelined him from the first two Tests, reports Cricket Australia website.
Hazlewood has been ramping up his bowling at training in recent weeks but hasnt been able to shake the injury and will instead continue his recovery at home in Sydney.
An Australian team spokesperson said the paceman is not expected to be available for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield.
The visitors have better news for Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc, with McDonald declaring Green 100 per cent fit for the third Test while Starc is also in line to play.
Both are on the mend from serious finger injuries. Green was close to being available for the Delhi Test, while McDonald said Starc had been available despite not being 100 per cent fit.
Matthew Kuhnemann was ultimately selected instead as a third spinner, performing well in his debut Test.
Breakout spin star Todd Murphy was managing a side injury during the Delhi Test but McDonald expressed optimism he would be right for the Indore Test beginning March 1.
He had a slight niggle in the side, McDonald told reporters as quoted by Cricket Australia on Monday.
It looks as though the timeframe between now and the next Test should be enough to resolve that.
So hell have not a test but hell have a good workout two days before it looks good.
Border-Gavaskar Qantas Tour of India 2023
February 9-11: India won by an innings and 132 runs
February 17-19: India won by six wickets
March 1-5: Third Test, Indore, 3pm AEDT
March 9-13: Fourth Test, Ahmedabad, 3pm AEDT
