Jhye looks the guy to replace Josh

JHYE Richardson is a big step closer to his Test return after Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was officially ruled out of the second Ashes Test.

Hazlewood suffered a mild side strain during the ninewicket win in Brisbane.

He flew home to Sydney on Sunday but was not officially ruled out of this week’s daynight Test in Adelaide until Monday morning, paving the way for one of either Richardson (left) or Michael Neser to break into the Test XI.

Hazlewood (right) will start his rehabilitation in the hope of being fit for the Boxing Day Test. The 30-year-old didn’t bowl on the third afternoon at the Gabba and was sent for a scan on Friday night, which showed he was at least fit enough to bowl on Saturday.

But the injury will keep him out of the second Test.

“Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood will miss the second Vodafone Ashes Test in Adelaide with a side injury,” a Cricket Australia statement said.

Richardson played the last of his two Tests against Sri Lanka in 2019. He than endured a series of shoulder injuries that required surgery.

He has stormed back into the Test squad with 23 wickets for Western Australia in just four Sheffield Shield matches this season, including eight and seven wickets in his past two games.

The next man in line would be Queenslander Neser, who is also in the Test squad but was released to play for Australia A against the England Lions last week.

Neser took 5-29 in the first innings to help skittle the tourists for just 102 before taking 2-36 in the second innings of the match, which was won comfortably by Australia A.