Hazlewood Sidelined: Australia Fast Bowler Ruled Out of First Ashes Test
PERTH, Australia - A hamstring strain has ruled Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood out of the first Ashes Test against England in Perth, Cricket Australia announced Thursday.The injury, initially appearing clear on Wednesday’s scans, was confirmed by repeat imaging, highlighting the potential for early scans to underestimate low-grade muscle injuries.
Hazlewood, a veteran of 76 Test matches with 295 wickets, experienced the setback after initial assessments suggested no meaningful damage. He previously missed much of the 2019 Ashes series on home soil due to a side injury, appearing in only one match.
The news adds to Australia’s fast bowling concerns, with captain Pat Cummins also managing a workload and Sean Abbott already confirmed unavailable for the Perth Test due to a hamstring injury. While Cummins is expected to be fit for the second Test in Brisbane, where he will resume captaincy from Steve Smith, Hazlewood’s return timeline remains uncertain.
Michael Neser has been selected to replace Hazlewood in the squad, benefiting from his recent Sheffield Shield appearance for Queensland in Perth. Othre potential options for later in the series include jhye Richardson, recovering from shoulder surgery and scheduled to play for a cricket Australia XI against England Lions next weekend, and the currently unavailable Spencer Johnson and Lance Morris.
A statement from Cricket Australia read: “Josh Hazlewood underwent repeat imaging that has confirmed a hamstring strain injury. Initial scans on Wednesday were clear of muscle strain, however follow-up imaging has confirmed the injury. Early imaging can occasionally underestimate low-grade muscle injuries.” As a result, Hazlewood will not travel to Perth and has been ruled out of the first Ashes Test match.”
