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Hazlewood ruled out of Ashes opener with hamstring injury
Australia have suffered a huge blow ahead of the Ashes, with premier fast‑bowler Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the opening Test in Perth after a hamstring injury was confirmed by follow‑up imaging. The injury came to light just three days after Hazlewood had initially been cleared to continue his Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales against Victoria at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Injury timeline and squad changes
During the third morning of the Shield game, Hazlewood completed his spell and reported tightness in his hamstring to NSW captain Steven Smith. Smith immediately instructed him to leave the field, and Hazlewood consulted a nearby clinic. Initial scans on Wednesday appeared clear, but a second scan on Saturday revealed a low‑grade muscle strain. Cricket Australia (CA) issued a statement confirming the diagnosis and noting that early imaging can sometimes underestimate such injuries.
As a result, Hazlewood will not travel to Perth this weekend. Michael Neser from Queensland has been added to the squad as a replacement. The Australian side has already been hit by the loss of Sean Abbott, who also suffered a hamstring injury, and Pat Cummins remains unavailable for the first Test as he continues his recovery from a back injury.
Impact on the Australian bowling attack
The absence of Hazlewood, Cummins and Abbott places a significant burden on the remaining pace options – notably Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland. The situation also brings Brendan Doggett into the conversation for a potential Test debut. Doggett, a South Australian quick, has been in excellent form after returning from his own hamstring problem, taking 13 wickets across two Shield matches. If he makes his debut in Perth, he will become Australia’s third Indigenous male player and the first Test XI to feature two Indigenous players alongside Boland.
Historical context and depth of the attack
Since 2014, Australia have only missed both Cummins and Hazlewood in two home Tests – the 2021 Ashes win over England and the 2022 victory against the West Indies – both of which Neser featured in. Those matches underscore how crucial the duo has been to Australia’s success at home. Hazlewood, currently on 295 Test wickets, has previously missed three of five Tests against India last season due to a side strain and a calf injury, highlighting the recurring injury concerns that have plagued the pace battery.
Potential further inclusions
Australia’s depth remains under pressure, but there are a few names on the periphery. Jhye Richardson has been named in the Cricket Australia XI to face the England Lions and could become a viable option later in the series as he recovers from shoulder surgery. Xavier Bartlett is another fast‑bowler who may earn a call‑up if the injury list expands.
England’s parallel concerns
England have also dealt with a hamstring scare, this time involving Mark Wood. Wood reported tightness after the first day of the warm‑up game against the Lions in Perth, underwent a scan, and was cleared by the ECB on Saturday. The parallel injury woes add an extra layer of intrigue to the opening Test, with both sides managing fast‑bowling contingencies.
Pat Cummins’ recovery outlook
While Hazlewood’s injury is now confirmed, Pat Cummins continues his gradual return. He has increased the intensity of his bowling in the SCG nets, operating at roughly 90% of his usual workload. Cummins indicated that his ultimate goal is to be fully fit for the Gabba Test in Brisbane, saying, “Hopefully by Perth I’m up there near 100%, and then see where we’re at. It’s still pretty aggressive, going from nothing to trying to get ready for a Test match in four weeks. But we’re going to give it a good shot.”
The Australian pace attack, already stretched thin, now faces a crucial test of depth and resilience. The selection committee will have to balance experience, form, and fitness as they prepare for a high‑stakes Ashes opener in Perth.
