Josh Hazlewood is not playing today against India in the Fifth Test in Sydney. Hazlewood has once again been overlooked by Australian Team Management as Scott Boland enjoys his extended stay in the Playing XI. Find out why Josh Hazlewood is missing from today's Test match vs INDIA.
Team India captain Jasprit Bumrah won the toss and decided to bat first. “We're looking to strike first. We played some good cricket. The last match was exciting. The grass does not look spicy. We have always learned to absorb losses. We will look forward to this,” he said.
Hazlewood has been under the radar and seems to be out of form. So when Australia's XI for the Sydney Test was announced, Hazlewood's name was missing from it.
Why is Josh Hazlewood not playing today?
Josh Hazlewood reportedly picked up a calf strain after the First Test in Perth. Following this, he was dropped from the Australian Playing XI for the Second Test in Adelaide. He managed to return for the Third Test in Brisbane but was dropped again for the Fourth Test at the MCG.
Hazlewood is still recovering from the strain and Australia do not want to tire him out ahead of the crucial Test series against Sri Lanka. Hazlewood has been a standout performer for Australia in Tests. In just 72 Tests, Hazlewood has taken 279 wickets at an impressive average of 24.57.
Must-Win game for the Aussies
Australia have once again opted to go with right-arm spinner Scott Boland for the SCG Test. Boland had replaced Hazlewood for the Second Test where he managed to take 5 wickets. He returned to Australia's squad for the Fourth Test and excelled once again taking 6 wickets. So Australia have preferred him over Hazlewood, also making sure that the latter gets enough rest.
Australia are going into the SCG Test with just one change. Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster has replaced Mitchell Marsh in the team. Marsh has been dropped due to a poor performance in the series.
The SCG Test is a must-win game for the Aussies. If Australia win this game, they will go straight to the final of the World Test Championship. However, if Australia lose, they will have to beat Sri Lanka in at least one of the two Tests at their home to qualify.
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