Australia were handsomely beaten in the series opener in Perth. Despite bowling India out for 150 in the first innings, they lost by 295 runs as their top order were blown away by a rampant Indian seam attack led by the irresistible Jasprit Bumrah.

Australia's own bowling group was less incisive in the second innings as India piled on 487-6 to take the Test away from the hosts with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli registering statement hundreds.

If Australia are to level the series at Adelaide, they will have to do so without Hazlewood – their most in-form seamer – and potentially Mitch Marsh, after the all-rounder pulled up sore after the Perth Test.

Both would be significant absentees. Hazlewood's control was immaculate in both innings in Perth. Even as India ran away with the contest in the second innings, he was able to stem the flow of runs finishing with an economy rate well below two runs per over. Hazlewood is also the leading Australian wicket-taker in the current World Test Championship cycle, with 56 wickets to his name at a healthy average of 19.56. By comparison, his longtime seam-bowling partners Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc average in the high-20s in the current WTC cycle.

Marsh, meanwhile, is one of only a handful of Australian players who it could be argued is in good recent form with the bat – he averages 44 in the current WTC cycle. His use as a fourth seamer is also extremely useful if fit to bowl. He was outstanding in the first innings in Perth, dismissing both Dhruv Jurel and Washington Sundar early, but was expensive in the second innings as he struggled physically following a long period where he has generally played as a specialist batter since injuring his hamstring earlier in the year.

So, how do Australia replace Hazlewood and potentially Marsh?

Given that Scott Boland was the sole spare seamer in the original squad, he is the most likely player to replace Hazlewood. Boland, 35, has an excellent Test record, averaging just over 20 from 10 Tests, the last of which came at Headingley during last year's Ashes series.

Australia have called up uncapped seamers Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett as further seam bowling cover. Abbott has been an occasional presence in Australia limited overs sides for some time while Doggett is uncapped across formats.

Doggett's ascension to the senior Test squad has been an unlikely one. He was a late addition for the Australia A squad to face India A earlier this month and was only included following injuries to Liam Hatcher and Mark Steketee. Doggett made the most of his opportunity, taking 6-15 in the first innings, a performance that clearly caught the eyes of the selectors.

Castled!! Brendan Doggett has a career-best SIX wickets 🔥 #AUSAvINDA pic.twitter.com/SJaozmlZt7

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 31, 2024

Marsh is less straightforward to replace. On merit, he deserves a spot in the side as a specialist batter. But following the pre-series injury to all-rounder Cam Green, Australia are in need of a fourth seam bowling option within the top seven. When Marsh tired in Perth, Cummins was forced to resort to the seam of Marnus Labuschagne who swiftly switched to leg-spin.

If Marsh doesn't make the XI for Adelaide, the most likely replacement will be the uncapped all-rounder Beau Webster. Webster, 30, is in excellent form domestically with the bat, averaging 50 in this year's Sheffield Shield having averaged 60 the previous season. Since the start of last season, Webster also has 62 first-class wickets with the ball, a run that includes a spell in county cricket with Gloucestershire.

Likely Australia XI: Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh/Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.

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