Australia
\nJosh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the first Ashes Test, leaving Australia\u2019s pace bowling seriously depleted for the series opener against England in Perth.
\nHazlewood had initially been cleared after suffering a hamstring problem playing for New South Wales on Wednesday, but further scans have revealed a muscle strain.
\nCaptain and pace spearhead Pat Cummins had already been ruled out of the first Test with a back problem and Hazlewood\u2019s absence means two of Australia\u2019s \u2018big three\u2019 will miss out at Optus Stadium.
\nThe remaining member of Australia\u2019s 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.
\nFellow seamer Michael Neser has been added to the Australia squad as cover.
\nNeser has played two Tests, but none since 2022. At 35, he is another member of the Australia squad in his mid-30s.
\nThe news of Hazlewood\u2019s absence comes on the same day England pace bowler Mark Wood was cleared of his own hamstring problem.
\nDespite the loss of two key bowlers, former Australia quick Jason Gillespie believes the home side remain favourites to win the series.
\n\u201cThere\u2019s a little window of opportunity, potentially, England will identify, not having Hazlewood or Cummins in Perth,\u201d Gillespie told BBC World Service.
\n\u201cThey might see that as a bit of a sniff of an opportunity, but I would say just beware.
\n\u201cScott 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.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Australia Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the first Ashes Test, leaving Australia\u2019s 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-514848","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n