Why Australia will miss Josh Hazlewood badly in Adelaide Test

Australia finds themselves under immense pressure following their crushing 295-run defeat to India in the series-opening Perth Test. With their confidence shaken, the Pat Cummins-led side must regroup and deliver a remarkable turnaround as they prepare for the day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval, starting December 6. Adding to their woes, the team suffered a significant setback with the injury of Josh Hazlewood, a key figure in their bowling attack, leaving them further exposed ahead of the crucial pink-ball encounter.
Hazlewood sustained a “low-grade left side injury” and would not be able to attain full fitness before the Adelaide Test. The hosts roped in Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett, who are both yet to make their Test debuts. Statistically, Hazlewood has been a gun bowler for the Aussies, especially in Day-Night Tests. He is one of the major reasons why Australia have won 11 out of 12 Day-Night Tests until now.
In eight day-night Tests so far, Hazlewood has taken 37 wickets at an average of 18.86 with two five-wicket hauls. In fact, the pacer holds the distinction of being the first bowler to take a wicket in pink-ball Tests when he dismissed New Zealand’s Martin Guptill back in November 2015 in Adelaide itself. For Australia, the quartet of Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins have dominated in day-night Tests. In Hazlewood’s absence, the home team does have Scott Boland, a proven customer in Tests, but can he make the same impact as Hazlewood?
Hazlewood was also the standout Australian bowler in the Perth Test, where he picked up five wickets, including a four-wicket haul. In fact, it was his spell of 13-5-29-4 that helped the Aussies bowl India out for 150 in the first innings. Now, with Hazlewood unavailable for the Adelaide Test, the pressure is on Starc and Cummins, neither of whom looked at their best in the opening game.
Before the start of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia were placed on top of the table in the WTC 2023-25. Cummins and Co. were strong contenders to make their way through to the final to be held next year. But after losing in Perth, they lost their top spot in the table.
Adding insult to injury, the Aussies dropped out of the two, invariably putting them in deeper trouble as far as playing in the summit clash is concerned. Australia slipped to third after South Africa defeated Sri Lanka by 233 runs at the Kingsmead in Durban.
The Adelaide Test provides no room for complacency for Australia. If they go 0-2 down, they could eventually miss out on a spot in the final of the WTC, let alone winning the series against India.