Pat Cummins (left) and Josh Hazlewood will miss the two-Test series against Pakistan

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Australia have been dealt two huge blows ahead of their Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates as they will be without the pace duo of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

Both Cummins and Hazlewood are undergoing rehabilitation for back injuries they sustained and physiotherapist David Beakley confirmed that they won’t be fit for the two-Test series against Pakistan in October.

“Pat and Josh are progressing well from their lumbar bone stress injuries but are not bowling, so, unfortunately, they will not be at the level required for Test match intensity come October,” Beakley was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. “Barring any setbacks, we are hopeful that Pat and Josh will return via the back-end of the JLT One-Day Cup, with the aim of them being available for the ODI series against South Africa in November as they build towards the India Test series.”

With Cummins and Hazlewood out, Jackson Bird, Chadd Sayers and Chris Tremain are likely to be among the frontrunners to replace them for the series.

Meanwhile, there was more encouraging news when it came to left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc as he is set to feature in the series after recovering from a right leg injury.

“Mitchell Starc is back to unrestricted training and remains on track for the Test series against Pakistan,” Beakley said.