Australia are without seamer Josh Hazlewood for Friday’s second one-day international against England, with wicketkeeper Tim Paine also doubtful.
Hazlewood, who took 21 wickets in the Ashes and is the side’s highest-ranked ODI bowler, was due to return to action at the Gabba after being rested as England’s series-opening win in Melbourne.
But he has been suffering from a virus and has flown home to Sydney to recuperate.
The temptation to recall Pat Cummins, who has been given a game off after his own starring role in the Test series, has been resisted meaning a debut for 21-year-old quick Jhye Richardson is all but certain.
Richardson, who made his name playing for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash, has only eight List A appearances to his name but has captured the selectors’ eye with his express pace.
Paine, meanwhile, is the latest player to suffer from the gastroenteritis issue that has affected members of both sides.Having missed one training session he made it to nets on Thursday, only to feel unwell after his knock.
Cricket Australia duly sent for cover in the form of uncapped Adelaide Strikers gloveman Alex Carey, who hit his maiden Big Bash century against Hobart Hurricanes on Wednesday.
Opener Aaron Finch, who hit a fine century in a losing cause in Melbourne, joked about Australia’s plans to prevent any further illness in camp but backed Richardson and Carey to excel if required.
“The guys don’t want to hang around together any more in case they’re spreading it on…lock them down in their bedroom and put the deadbolt on,” he said.
“But the guys who are coming in to potentially take a spot are in great form as well. Alex got a beautiful hundred last night and he’s taken his game to a new level.
“Jhye we’ve seen in the Big Bash: he’s fast, aggressive, swings the ball up front. If he gets his opportunity I’ll be excited to see him play.”
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here