Josh Hazlewood a doubt for Australia in second Test with side strain

Hazlewood was used sparingly during England's second innings at the Gabba this week, having strained his side during the game

Josh Hazlewood is a doubt for Australia ahead of the second Test against England, but the seamer has not been formally ruled out of the match just yet.

Hazlewood was used sparingly during England's second innings at the Gabba this week, having strained his side during the game.

He has since flown back to Sydney but Aussie team management insist a final decision on his participation in the second Test, which is due to get under way in Adelaide on Thursday, has not been made.

“He was a little bit sore yesterday, so we just tried to get him through,” Australia captain Cummins told the media on Saturday.

“Obviously it’s a five Test match series, so (we) didn’t want to try and break him yesterday. He pulled up okay today, so we’ll keep managing him.

^{Josh Hazlewood is an injury concern for Australia (Chris Hyde/Getty Images)}

“I think a key is we don’t want to put him in jeopardy for the whole series so we’ll take our time. He had a scan last night so we will kind of work through that. He bowled today but no plan yet, sleep on it, see how he pulls up tomorrow.”

Should Hazlewood not be fit to play, Jhye Richardson would be in the front seat to take his place, though Michael Neser is also an option.

David Warner, who also flew out of Queensland to be with family on Sunday, is a doubt for the Aussies as well.

Warner did not bat in Australia's second innings at the Gabba having sustained bruised ribs in the first.

He was struck in the chest by a rising delivery from Ben Stokes and was not risked, with Alex Carey opening the batting instead.

It is unlikely Carey would be used as a replacement option at the top of the order for Australia in the event Warner was not passed fit for the second Test.

Bryce Street struck a century for Australia A against England Lions this week, while veteran batsman Usman Khawaja would also be a possibility.

Meanwhile, Carey and Travis Head have left the Australia camp for a short period with family in South Australia ahead of the match.

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