Australia’s all-rounder Aaron Hardie is set to miss the upcoming three-match T20I series against New Zealand due to a calf injury. Hardie’s absence adds to the list of setbacks for the Australian team, already coping with injuries to key players.
Initially not selected for the T20I series, Hardie was added to the squad as a replacement for Marcus Stoinis, who was sidelined due to a back injury. However, Hardie’s injury occurred during a Sheffield Shield match for Western Australia against Tasmania in Hobart. He experienced discomfort while bowling on the second day, prompting a precautionary scan, and was subsequently withdrawn from both the Shield clash and the T20I series against New Zealand.
Western Australia coach Adam Voges clarified that Hardie’s calf issue is being treated cautiously, and while he may be available to bat on the last day of the Shield match if required, his participation in the T20I series remains ruled out pending further assessment.
Hardie’s absence compounds Australia’s injury woes, with Marcus Stoinis already ruled out due to a back strain suffered during a warm-up session for the second T20I against the West Indies. Additionally, vice-captain Matthew Wade will miss the first T20I against New Zealand due to the birth of his child, while Matthew Short’s availability is uncertain due to a minor hamstring strain sustained during the ODI series against the West Indies.
Despite these setbacks, Australia’s T20 squad for the New Zealand tour sees the return of veteran batters Steven Smith and Travis Head, aiming to establish a formidable lineup ahead of the T20 World Cup in June. The series against New Zealand presents an opportunity for Australia to test their combinations and solidify their squad for the upcoming global tournament.
The three-match T20I series between New Zealand and Australia is scheduled to commence on February 21 in Wellington, with the remaining matches to be played on February 23 and 25 at Eden Park in Auckland. Australia’s T20 squad for the series includes Mitchell Marsh as captain, along with a mix of experienced players and promising talents.
