SYDNEY: Australia’s fast bowling options have been further depleted after Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of next month’s one-day international series in England due to back soreness. Hazlewood joins fellow quicks Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc in being out of action against their Ashes rivals, while all-rounder Mitchell Marsh also remains on the sidelines. Uncapped Queensland seamer Michael Neser takes Hazlewood’s place in the touring squad. “Josh has been managing some low-level bone stress in his lumbar spine for a short period,” Cricket Australia physiotherapist David Beakley said on Monday. “He had a repeat scan and although it has not progressed to a fracture he is starting to experience some lower back pain. “As such, we are taking a conservative approach and he will not travel to England for the one-day series.” Australia will play five one-dayers and a Twenty20 match against England from June 13-27.
Published in Daily Times, May 29th 2018.