Australia’s Josh Hazlewood ruled out of England series due to back injury

Josh Hazlewood, who had been critical to Australia’s success in the Ashes last year, will be replaced by the uncapped Michael Neser

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled of the limited-overs squad that is due to face England in the upcoming series starting June 13.

Hazlewood, who had been critical to Australia’s success in the Ashes last year, will be replaced by the uncapped Michael Neser.

“Josh has been managing some low level bone stress in his lumbar spine for a short period,” cricket.au.com quoted Cricket Australia physiotherapist David Beakley as saying.

“He had a repeat scan today 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.”

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Australia will travel to England to take part in five match ODI series followed up by a solitary T20I game. The Aussies will then head to Zimbabwe for a T20I tri-series against the hosts and Pakistan.

Already without Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, who will also miss the tour, Australia’s bowling department has been significantly weakened with Hazlewood’s injury.

Steve Smith and David Warner, who are serving year-long bans for the ball-tampering scandal will also miss out alongside all rounder Mitch Marsh.