Australia-Scotland T20Is: Meredith to replace Hazlewood

Melbourne, Aug 24: Pacer Riley Meredith, who last played for Australia in 2021 has been named as the replacement for injured right arm quick Josh Hazlewood for the upcoming T20Is against Scotland.

Hazlewood has suffered a calf injury. But the 33-year-old fast bowler is expected to be back  in Australia's white-ball tour of England, which will kick off on September 11, a section of media reported on Saturday.

Fast bowler Meredith last represented Australia in 2021 against the West Indies. His overall T20Is statistics reveal, he has 8 wickets to his name in 5 matches after playing against the West Indies and New Zealand three years ago.

With Hazlewood ruled out for the Scotland T20Is, the Aussie pace attack looks bit different as the two other seasoned pacers Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc too have been rested. 

Earlier Australian selectors announced that Cummins would be missing the entire tour, while Mitchell Starc has been named in the squad for the ODI series against England.

As per the latest injury list, before the UK tour, Hazlewood became the second Australian quick to get ruled out of the T20I series against Scotland.

Recently, young pacer Spencer Johnson was ruled out of the entire tour after he sustained an injury in the Hundred, while representing the Oval Invincibles.

The new look Australian pace attack for the Scotland games  includes Riley Meredith, Xavier Bartlett, Sean Abbott and Nathan Ellis. They be backed by pace bowling all-rounders Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Marcus Stoinis and potentially captain Mitchell Marsh himself, the report stated.

The Aussie spin attack will be led by seasoned campaigner Adam Zampa. He will be assisted by uncapped youngster Cooper Connolly.

Australia T20I squad versus Scotland: 

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

Australia will play three T20Is against Scotland and the first match will be played on September 4 in Edinburgh.