Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against Scotland after suffering a calf strain during training last week.

Although the injury is described as minor, Cricket Australia (CA) has opted to rest Hazlewood as a precaution. He is expected to recover in time for the T20I and ODI series against England later in September. However, with a busy home summer ahead, which includes the highly anticipated five-match Test series against India, the selectors may take a cautious approach with Hazlewood’s return.

In Hazlewood's absence, Riley Meredith has been called up to the squad. Meredith, who last played for Australia in 2021, has been in impressive form during the English season, representing Somerset in both the T20 Blast and the One Day Cup. He took 14 wickets at an average of 22.78 in the T20 Blast and 6 wickets in three one-day cup matches, including a standout performance of 4 for 27 against Middlesex at Lord's. Meredith has previously taken 8 wickets in five T20I matches against New Zealand and West Indies three years ago.

Hazlewood's injury makes him the second Australian quick bowler to be ruled out of the series, following Spencer Johnson's withdrawal due to a side strain sustained while playing in The Hundred. With Hazlewood and Johnson out, Australia’s pace attack for the Scotland series will now include Meredith, Xavier Bartlett, Sean Abbott, and Nathan Ellis, supported by all-rounders Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, and Marcus Stoinis. The spin department will be handled by Adam Zampa and the uncapped Cooper Connolly.

The first of the three T20I matches against Scotland is scheduled to take place in Edinburgh on September 4. Australia’s tour of the UK is set to conclude with a white-ball series against England, starting on September 11.

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