Australia v Sri Lanka Test series: Josh Hazlewood ruled out, Jhye Richardson called into squad

Dismissing India captain Virat Kohli three times in a row has helped West Australian fast bowler Jhye Richardson jump the red ball cue and earn a Test call-up for the series against Sri Lanka.

Jhye Richardson in action for Australia against India.

Dismissing India captain Virat Kohli three times in a row has helped West Australian fast bowler Jhye Richardson jump the red ball cue and earn a Test call-up for the series against Sri Lanka.

Selectors have left Victorian Chris Tremain scratching his head after Richardson was called on to replace Josh Hazlewood who has been ruled out of the two Tests, which begin this week in Brisbane, with an early stage stress fracture in his back.

Hazlewood bowled 152.1 overs in the four-Test series against India, the most of any of the Australian fast bowlers, and reported soreness in recent days.

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Scans revealed an issue in the same lower back area as last summer, and Hazelwood, the Test vice-captain, will begin rehabilitation immediately in a bid to be fit for the World Cup and Ashes in England later this year.

It’s likely Hazlewood will miss next month’s one-day series against India, and possibly the one which follows against Pakistan to ensure he’s ready for twin campaigns in England.

Richardson’s credentials have continued to grow and include snaring Kohli three-times among his six wickets in the three-match one-day series which concluded on Friday.

Jhye Richardson could be in line to make his Test debut at the Gabba.

Australian coach Justin Langer said Richardson had been a “shining light” in the 2-1 loss.

The 22-year-old quick was also in the Test squad which toured South Africa last year and said that experience helped him learn what it took to be a long-form bowler.

“It’s called Test cricket for a reason. You might be called upon to bowl 40-plus overs for the game, just like in Shield cricket it’s pretty taxing on your body. That’s the joy of it,” Richardson said on Saturday.

“Shield cricket this year, I’ve really enjoyed the long spells and challenging myself to become a long-format bowler.”

Richardson is the third leading wicket taker in the Sheffield Shield this season, collecting 27 scalps at 19.03 in five matches, including a haul of 8/47 against NSW.

But he sits behind Victorians Scott Boland (36 wickets) and Tremain (28), who were also both selected in the Cricket Australia XI currently playing Sri Lanka in Hobart.

Josh Hazlewood will miss the Test series against Sri Lanka.

Tremain, who has over 100 Shield wickets in the past three seasons, was also picked in the initial Test squad for the India series.

But it’s Richardson, who made his one-day debut 12 months ago after just a handful of games for WA, who is now on the verge of wearing a baggy green.

“I think that’s the joy of my career so far, I’ve learned how to deal with things that have popped up quickly,” he said.

“A couple of years ago everything happened in such a whirlwind, I went from nowhere to stepping up and playing international cricket for Australia.”

National Selector Trevor Hohns has given Richardson strong endorsement.

“We consider Jhye to be an ideal replacement in the squad for Josh,” said Hohns.

“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.”

Australia physio David Beakley said Hazlewood would now begin his rehabilitation.

“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,” said Beakley.

“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.”

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