Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood suffered an injury scare ahead of the first Ashes Test against England on November 21, with teammate Sean Abbott ruled out.
Hazlewood, 34, left the field on the third day of NSW’s game against Victoria in Sydney with a hamstring problem and did not return to the bowl.
He did not bat and visibly limped while shaking hands at the end of the game, which the hosts lost by 300 runs, but a Cricket Australia statement later said the seamer had recovered from the muscle strain.
“Hazlewood left the field…reporting a right hamstring strain. He underwent precautionary tests and the muscle strain has resolved. He will train as planned for the first Test in Perth.”
Captain Pat Cummins (back) has already decided to miss the opening game of the series against England, with fellow seamer Abbott suffering the same fate.
Sean Abbott misses first Ashes Test with hamstring problem
The 33-year-old, who was in Australia’s Ashes squad as a back-up option, suffered a hamstring problem after taking three wickets in seven balls for New South Wales against Victoria.
Cricket Australia said of Abbott: “Tests have confirmed a moderate hamstring injury. He has not been selected for the first Test match in Perth and a return to play plan will be developed over the coming weeks.”
Steve Smith, who replaced Cummins as Australia’s captain in the first Test, hit twin half-centuries in the match and top-scored New South Wales with 56 not out out of 125 all out.
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Steve Smith made a huge mistake when leading NSW for the first time in eight years with the coin toss…Video credit: @cricketcomau
Cummins: Hazlewood ‘hopefully OK’
Speaking at an earlier sponsorship announcement in Sydney, Cummins offered a fairly optimistic outlook for Hazlewood, saying: “I don’t know 100 per cent of the details, but I think Josie was in pretty good spirits when she came out (of the scan).”
“I hope he’s okay. He’s rarely chipper, so it was nice to see him smile. He knows his body really well.”
“I think he was a little worried and wanted to get tested. I only met him briefly, but he seemed a little happy afterwards.
“We’ll see what happens over the next 24 hours. Hopefully it won’t be too big of a problem.”
Hazlewood has taken 295 wickets in 76 Tests, including 76 in 18 matches against England.
Scott Boland, who took 49 wickets in nine Tests for Australia at an average of 12.63, will stand in for Cummins in Perth, while uncapped Brendan Doggett is also named in Australia’s first Test squad.
Doggett scored a five-wicket first-innings win in South Australia’s three-wicket win over Tasmania, and Cummins said: “He’s been bowling really well the last few games from what I’ve seen.”
“He’s in a really good position to fight for a spot in the first Test. It’s always nice to have guys in form in your team and he’s certainly one of those players.”
Brendan Doggett optioned to play for Australia in first Ashes Test
All-rounder Beau Webster, who is hoping to play against England, picked up eight wickets in Tasmania’s match against South Australia, but could only pick up eight and 13 wickets with the bat.
Australia’s starting pitcher, Travis Head, scored just nine points and 15 points for South Australia in a bowler-dominated game.
Meanwhile, Cummins said he bowled 90 per cent in a practice session in Sydney on Tuesday, but reiterated he will not be ready for Perth ahead of the second Test in Brisbane, a day-night test from December 4, the earliest the 32-year-old can play.
He added: “The Gabba is what we’re building towards. We’re still pretty aggressive and trying to go from nothing to getting ready for a Test match in four weeks. But we’re going to give ourselves a good chance.”
Australia captain Pat Cummins continues his recovery to return for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane
Ashes Series in Australia 2025-26
always UK and Ireland
First Test: Friday 21st November – Tuesday 25th November (2.30am) – Optus Stadium, Perth Second Test (day/night): Thursday 4th December – Monday 8th December (4.30am) – The Gabba, Brisbane Third Test: Wednesday 17th December – Sunday 21st December (12am) – Adelaide Oval Fourth Test: Thursday 25th December – Monday 29th December (11.30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground Fifth Test: Sunday 4th January – Thursday 8th January (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground
