Josh Hazlewood Ruled Out Of Boxing Day Test Against NZ Due To Injury

Australia seamer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the Boxing Day Test against New Zealand due to a hamstring injury, coach Justin Langer said on Sunday. The front-line Aussie pacer suffered the injury during the ongoing series-opening Day-Night Test against New Zealand in Perth and was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the Pink ball Test encounter. Scans revealed he had suffered a "low-grade" hamstring tear in the night session on day two at Perth Stadium having bowled just eight balls. Australia selectors will decide on a replacement later for the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground starting Dec. 26, Langer told reporters in Perth. James Pattinson and Michael Neser are the reserve seamers in the Test squad.

"Without doubt, 'Patto' (Pattinson) and Michael Neser, they'll be in the squad 100 per cent and we'll look whether we replace Josh with another fast bowler," Langer said. "The obvious one would be Peter Siddle actually. He did a really good job in the Ashes, he's bowling very well for Victoria and it's at the MCG where he's played a lot of cricket.

"We'll see what happens the rest of this game and then make a decision. Anyone who knows Patto, you've never seen energy like it. He's got the drive. He's said after his back surgery he'll do anything to play Test cricket again. It's a real credit he's got back to that. Being a Boxing Day Test he'll be jumping out of skin to play."