Josh Hazlewood Ruled Out Of Sri Lanka Series With Back Injury
Early signs of stress fracture.
Image: AAP
Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the Tests against Sri Lanka due to a back injury as Australia's troubled summer of cricket continues.
The paceman and vice-captain is being replaced by Western Australia's Jhye Richardson in the squad for the two-Test series, which begins at the Gabba on Thursday.
"Josh has reported some back soreness over the last few days and scans have revealed a very early-stage stress fracture in the same lower back area as his previous injury from last summer," Cricket Australia physiotherapist David Beakley said.
“He will now begin a rehabilitation program and we are confident he will be available for selection ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup in the UK later this year."
Richardson joins Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Peter Siddle as the fast bowlers in Australia's squad for the series.
“Jhye has had an impressive first half in his Sheffield Shield season and no-one could deny he has now continued that form in ODI matches for Australia," chief selector Trevor Hohns said.
“We consider Jhye to be an ideal replacement in the squad for Josh."
- with AAP