Aaron Hardie Ruled Out of Australia A Tour With Shoulder Injury

Aaron Hardie Ruled Out of Australia A Tour With Shoulder Injury

Australia A have suffered another injury setback ahead of their tour of India, with allrounder Aaron Hardie ruled out due to a shoulder injury. He will be replaced by Victoria’s Will Sutherland, who was already part of the one-day squad and will now join the four-day squad for the second unofficial Test in Lucknow, beginning September 23.

The timing of Hardie's injury is a blow, but early signs suggest he may be fit for the start of the Sheffield Shield season, where Western Australia begin their campaign against New South Wales at the WACA on October 4. A replacement for Hardie in the one-day squad is yet to be named.

Mounting Injury Concerns

Hardie’s absence adds to an increasingly concerning injury list for Australia, particularly among their pace-bowling options. Though an allrounder, Hardie’s ability with the ball adds depth, and his unavailability narrows the selectors' choices ahead of a packed season.

The national selectors are already coping with long-term injuries to several fast bowlers:

  • Lance Morris, Hardie’s Western Australia teammate, is out for up to 12 months following back surgery.

  • Callum Vidler, a promising young quick, has been sidelined due to a partial stress fracture.

  • Pat Cummins, the Test captain, remains in doubt for the upcoming Ashes series due to a back injury.

Morris had originally been named in the four-day squad, while Vidler was part of the one-day lineup. Brody Couch was initially brought in as Morris’s replacement but sustained a side injury during the Top End T20 final, prompting the late inclusion of South Australia's Henry Thornton.

Hardie’s Recent Form and Future Prospects

Hardie recently featured in Australia's white-ball series against West Indies and South Africa, though he struggled for form during the latter. He was omitted from the squad for the short T20I tour of New Zealand but remained in contention via selection in the A squad. Depending on his recovery, he could still be in the frame for the upcoming white-ball series against India.

Tour Schedule and Squads

Australia A will play two four-day matches against India A, beginning September 16 and September 23, both in Lucknow. The three-match one-day series follows 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

  • (One player to be added)

As injuries continue to test Australia’s depth, the India A tour presents a key opportunity for emerging players to stake their claim ahead of a crucial international summer.