Melbourne: Fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have been ruled out of Australia’s test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates after failing to recover from injuries, further depleting an already inexperienced side.
Australia have already been without their two of the most experienced in former captain Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner suspended after a ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town in March and with Cummins and Hazlewood still recovering from their lumbar bone stress injuries, much sting has been taken out of the attack of the Tim Paine-led squad.
“Pat and Josh are progressing well from their lumbar bone stress injuries but are not bowling, so unfortunately they will not be at the level required for Test match intensity come October,” team physiotherapist David Beakley said in a statement.
“Barring any setbacks, we are hopeful that Pat and Josh will return via the back-end of the (domestic) JLT One-Day Cup, with the aim of them being available for the ODI Series against South Africa in November as they build towards the Indian test series.”
Australia play South Africa in the first ODI of the three-match series in Perth November 4 before hosting India for three T20s, four Tests and three ODIs.
Australia’s pace spearhead Mitchell Starc, however, remains on track to be fit for the UAE tour, Beakley said.
“On a positive note Mitchell Starc is back to unrestricted training and remains on track for the Test Series against Pakistan,” Beakley said.