Australia
Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the first Ashes Test, leaving Australia’s pace bowling seriously depleted for the series opener against England in Perth.
Hazlewood had initially been cleared after suffering a hamstring problem playing for New South Wales on Wednesday, but further scans have revealed a muscle strain.
Captain and pace spearhead Pat Cummins had already been ruled out of the first Test with a back problem and Hazlewood’s absence means two of Australia’s ‘big three’ will miss out at Optus Stadium.
The remaining member of Australia’s first-choice pace trio, Mitchell Starc, will be joined in the XI by Scott Boland, with Brendan Doggett now in line for a Test debut.
Fellow seamer Michael Neser has been added to the Australia squad as cover.
Neser has played two Tests, but none since 2022. At 35, he is another member of the Australia squad in his mid-30s.
The news of Hazlewood’s absence comes on the same day England pace bowler Mark Wood was cleared of his own hamstring problem.
Despite the loss of two key bowlers, former Australia quick Jason Gillespie believes the home side remain favourites to win the series.
“There’s a little window of opportunity, potentially, England will identify, not having Hazlewood or Cummins in Perth,” Gillespie told BBC World Service.
“They might see that as a bit of a sniff of an opportunity, but I would say just beware.
“Scott Boland is a superb bowler, averages 12 in Australia. Brendan Doggett is in fine form and one of the quickest bowlers in Australia. England should be wary, in my opinion.”
