Australia's pacer Josh Hazlewood sidelined from T20I series against Scotland due to a right calf strain.

Hazlewood to undergo rehab, expected to return for T20I and ODI series against England starting September 11. / Getty images

Australia has suffered a blow ahead of their T20I series against Scotland as pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out due to a low-grade right calf strain. 

The 33-year-old sustained the injury during a training session in Sydney and has been replaced by fast bowler Riley Meredith in the squad.

Cricket Australia announced that Hazlewood will undergo rehabilitation, with a likely return for the T20I and ODI series against England starting on September 11. Hazlewood's absence adds to Australia's pace bowling challenges, with Mitchell Starc already sidelined and Pat Cummins rested to focus on the upcoming Test series against India.

Riley Meredith, 28, who last played for Australia in 2021, has been in excellent form in the T20 Blast for Somerset, claiming 14 wickets in 12 matches. His inclusion in the squad offers him an opportunity to add to his five T20I caps.

Australia’s T20I squad for the Scotland series includes :

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

The series kicks off on September 4 in Edinburgh.