Josh Hazlewood is likely to miss the remainder of the Test series against India after suffering a calf strain during warm-ups on the fourth day in Brisbane meaning Scott Boland will be set to return to the side for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
Hazlewood, who returned in this game after missing Adelaide with a side strain, was late entering the field at the start of play on Tuesday, having spent time talking with head coach Andrew McDonald and physio Nick Jones, then looked laboured when he came into the attack, barely topping 131kph which included a wide long hop first ball that was cut away by KL Rahul.
During the drinks break which followed that over, Hazlewood was part of a lengthy conversation with Pat Cummins, Steven Smith and the physio before he walked off the field.
Cricket Australia initially said he had "calf awareness" and he went for scans which confirmed the severity of the injury.
"He's pretty despondent," Daniel Vettori, Australia's assistant coach, said. "Felt it this morning in warm-ups, gave it a good crack, it's just unfortunate for him to come back, put so much effort after another injury with the side strain, then to pick up a calf strain here, particularly in these circumstances is really tough on him."
Brendan Doggett and Sean Abbott have been part of the squad in this series, when they were initially called up as cover in Adelaide after Hazlewood was ruled out, and would likely head the queue of replacements. Western Australia pair Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson are still early in their comebacks to red ball cricket and the domestic season has now switched into BBL mode.
Australia were trying to force victory between frequent rain delays in Brisbane with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc putting in significant stints in the absence of Hazlewood but India's last-wicket stand between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep denied them the chance of enforcing the follow on.
Vettori confirmed that despite being a bowler down that option would have been taken and, given the lighter workloads in Adelaide and regular rain breaks, there was confidence that Starc and Cummins would be able to manage the overs.
Hazlewood had returned to the side for this Test after a side strain ruled him out of Adelaide. His latest injury opens the door for Boland to return to the side at the MCG, the venue where he claimed a remarkable 6 for 7 on debut against England in 2021-22. Cummins had flagged the potential for Boland to play a further role in the series when he missed out in Brisbane.
"[We told him] it's about preparing for the MCG because there's a good chance we might need you," he said. "History suggests there's always some form of natural attrition throughout a Test series. A good thing [is], he's probably played a Test earlier in the series than he maybe thought. Showed that his standard's still super high. [It's] about trying to set him up for the last two Test matches."
While selection is not part of Vettori's remit, he acknowledged the decision would probably be a simple one. "Fortunately I don't have to worry about that, but Boland speaks for himself," he said. "The way he bowled in Adelaide, the way he's consistently been the back-up seamer and every single time he's been asked to step up, particularly in Australia, he's been outstanding so think that would be the logical thing to conclude."
Hazlewood previously suffered a mild calf strain earlier in the year which kept him out of the T20Is against Scotland and England. The Perth Test against India was his 10th consecutive match following a frustrating couple of years where he was hit by a series of injuries while also being left out due to conditions on the subcontinent. Overall, Hazlewood has missed 18 of Australia's last 35 Tests dating back to the 2021-22 Ashes.
Hazlewood's next opportunity to play Tests could come in Sri Lanka from late January although conditions could mean he is surplus to requirements if Australia pack their line-up with spinners. After that there's the possibility of the World Test Championship final in early June should Australia qualify ahead of a three-match tour of West Indies that is expected to start later that month