Australia's fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been sidelined from the upcoming T20I series against Scotland due to a minor calf strain. The injury, though not severe, will keep Hazlewood out of the three-match series, which begins on September 4 in Edinburgh. Australian selectors are taking a cautious approach given Hazlewood’s busy schedule ahead, which includes T20I and ODI series against England starting on September 11, as well as five Test matches against India later this year.

Riley Meredith steps in as replacement

In Hazlewood’s absence, 27-year-old pacer Riley Meredith has been called up to join the squad. Meredith, who last played a T20I for Australia in 2021, has been in fine form during his stint with Somerset in the English domestic season. He took 14 wickets in the T20 Blast at an average of 22.78 and played a crucial role in Somerset's run to the final. Meredith also excelled in the One-Day Cup, notably claiming 4 for 27 against Middlesex at Lord's. With his inclusion, the Australian pace attack for the Scotland series now features Meredith, Xavier Bartlett, Sean Abbott, and Nathan Ellis, with all-rounders Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, and Marcus Stoinis offering additional support.

Australia’s cautious approach ahead of England series

Though Hazlewood’s injury is not expected to keep him out of action for long, Australia's selectors are being cautious, especially with key matches ahead. Hazlewood was the only member of Australia’s renowned fast-bowling trio selected for the full UK tour, as Mitchell Starc is scheduled to join for the ODIs against England, and Pat Cummins opted out to focus on his conditioning. This latest setback comes on the heels of fellow pacer Spencer Johnson’s withdrawal from the Scotland series due to a side strain sustained during The Hundred. Australia is set to depart for Scotland on Monday, with Hazlewood hopeful to recover in time for the critical matches against England later in September.

Cummins, Australia's Test captain, emphasized the importance of this rest period, saying, "The priority at the moment is to smash out some gym work and start reassessing in a few weeks a path forward. I’m just trying to fill up the bucket again after two years of non-stop bowling."

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Australia T20I Squad vs Scotland:

Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Riley Meredith, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.