After Pat Cummins and Sean Abbott, Australia has now been dealt another injury blow with Josh Hazlewood sidelined.
The brief relief that had followed quickly vanished as this latest setback hit the team. Hazlewood will miss the first Ashes Test due to injury, further weakening Australia’s pace attack.
Cummins had already been ruled out earlier due to injury, and Abbott also withdrew a few days ago. Now, Hazlewood joins them on the sidelines.
He left the field during Wednesday’s Sheffield Shield match with a hamstring strain, along with Abbott. Initial scans revealed Abbott’s injury, confirming his absence from the first Test, while Hazlewood’s scan initially showed no issues—a huge relief for Australia.
However, the relief was short-lived. A follow-up scan on Saturday revealed a low-grade muscle injury, ruling him out.
Michael Neser has been called in as Hazlewood’s replacement. Having played two Tests in 2021 and 2022, taking seven wickets, Neser has started the Sheffield Shield season strongly, being a first-class bowler with over 400 wickets. However, he may not make the final eleven.
Brendan Doggett, alongside Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland, could be part of the playing XI. The 31-year-old pacer may make his Test debut in this first Ashes match.
Doggett has also been in fine form in the Sheffield Shield, picking up 13 wickets across two games.
Even with Neser and Doggett available, the absence of Cummins and Hazlewood significantly weakens Australia. Hazlewood struggled with injuries last season too, missing three out of five matches in the series against India.
Since 2014, Australia has rarely been without both Cummins and Hazlewood at home—only in two Tests. Despite that, the team won both matches, against England in 2021 and the West Indies in 2022.
The Ashes will begin this Friday with the first Test in Perth.
