Australia A have been forced to reshuffle their squad for the upcoming tour of India after allrounder Aaron Hardie was ruled out with a shoulder injury. The setback adds to Australia’s growing pace-bowling concerns ahead of the new season.
Victoria allrounder Will Sutherland will replace Hardie in the four-day squad. Sutherland, who was already part of the one-day group, will now link up with the team during the second four-day match in Lucknow. A replacement for Hardie in the one-day squad is yet to be confirmed.
Hardie is now focusing on recovering in time for Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield opener against New South Wales at the WACA on October 4. The 25-year-old recently featured in Australia’s T20I and ODI series against West Indies and South Africa, but he struggled for form against the Proteas. He was not picked for the short T20I tour of New Zealand and was instead drafted into the Australia A squad. If he recovers well, he could still be in contention for the upcoming white-ball series against India.
His absence adds to the list of fast-bowling concerns for Australia. Captain Pat Cummins is still recovering from a back issue ahead of the Ashes, Lance Morris has been ruled out for 12 months following surgery, youngster Callum Vidler is sidelined with a stress fracture, and Brody Couch has also suffered a side injury recently.
The Australia A tour will begin with two four-day matches against India A on September 16 and 23, followed by three one-dayers in Kanpur on September 30, October 3, and October 5.
Updated Australia A four-day squad:
Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Jack Edwards, Campbell Kellaway, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Oliver Peake, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Liam Scott, Will Sutherland (second game only), Henry Thornton
Updated Australia A one-day squad:
Cooper Connolly, Harry Dixon, Jack Edwards, Sam Elliott, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mackenzie Harvey, Todd Murphy, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Lachie Shaw, Tom Straker, Will Sutherland, Henry Thornton
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