Josh Hazlewood ruled out of second Ashes Test with side strain

Hazelwood will sit out the game to give himself time to recover from the injury he picked up during the first Test in Brisbane last week

Josh Hazlewood will not feature for Australia in the second Ashes Test match through injury.

Hazelwood will sit out the game to give himself time to recover from a minor side strain picked up during the first Test in Brisbane last week.

The seamer left the Australia camp over the weekend to fly back to Sydney for further assessment and has since been ruled out of the clash at the Adelaide Oval, which is due to start on Thursday.

Australia's team management will wait before making a call on whether or not he will be fit enough to be considered for selection for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

^{Jhye Richardson is the favourite to replace Josh Hazelwood (Chris Hyde/Getty Images)}

Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser are the two players vying to take Hazlewood's spot for this week's day-night game in South Australia.

Leg-spinner Mitch Swepson is also included in a 14-man squad for the fixture.

Cricket Australia will name a squad for the third and fourth Tests at the conclusion of the game.

Australia lead the series 1-0 after securing a comfortable nine-wicket win at the Gabba.

WHO COULD REPLACE JOSH HAZLEWOOD?

Jhye Richardson

The 25-year-old from Western Australia has been knocking on the Test door for three years.

Richardson's skiddy action, and ability to swing the ball at good pace, has brought him two Test caps and 27 white-ball appearances for his country since making his international debut in February 2017.

He has not featured in red-cricket for his country since February 2019 but is the favourite to replace Hazlewood.

One of his two Test caps came in a day-night game against Sri Lanka, in which he took 5 for 45, while he is in good form in the Sheffield Shield with 23 wickets at 13 apiece this year.

Richardson's first-class career only incorporates 21 matches but in that time he has taken 90 wickets at 21.

^{Michael Neser is also vying for Hazlewood's place (Peter Wallis/Getty Images)}

Michael Neser

The uncapped Neser is a very different option to Richardson but has the form to justify selection.

Neser, the 31-year-old South Africa-born quick, claimed five wickets for Australia A against England Lions at the Ian Healy Oval in Brisbane last week.

His inclusion would add depth to the Australia batting lineup, with a career first-class average above 24, but he has only played three first-class fixtures since July.

Neser has recently enjoyed a productive spell with Glamorgan and is re-signed to the county for 2022.

He has made two one-day international appearances for Australia but is yet to win his Baggy Green.

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