Australia have received a major boost ahead of the first Ashes Test against England, with fast bowler Josh Hazlewood cleared of any serious injury following a hamstring scare. However, fellow pace bowler Sean Abbott has been ruled out with a moderate-grade hamstring strain, dealing a blow to Australia’s pace-bowling depth just days before the series opener in Perth.
Hazlewood’s Fitness a Relief for Australia
Hazlewood, 34, had raised concerns after leaving the field during New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria earlier this week. The right-arm quick reported tightness in his hamstring towards the end of Victoria’s second innings and did not return to bat in his team’s second innings.
Subsequent scans have shown no sign of a muscle strain, clearing Hazlewood to join Australia’s Ashes squad in Perth ahead of the first Test beginning 21 November 2025.
The experienced seamer, who has taken 295 wickets in 76 Tests at an impressive average of 24.21, is expected to play a key role in Australia’s bowling attack alongside Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland.
Captain Pat Cummins, who is sidelined for the opening Test due to a back injury, described Hazlewood’s diagnosis as “a massive relief” for the squad.
“We’re a week away from the Test series – always err on the side of caution,” said Cummins. “They wanted to check everything before pushing it. It was good to see Josh smiling again. He knows his body really well, and I think he just wanted to make sure everything was fine.”
Abbott Ruled Out With Hamstring Strain
Unfortunately for Sean Abbott, the news wasn’t as positive. The 33-year-old all-rounder suffered a moderate hamstring strain during the same match and has been officially ruled out of contention for the first Test.
Abbott, who has represented Australia in 57 white-ball internationals, is yet to make his Test debut. His injury leaves Brendan Doggett as the only other seamer in the squad providing backup for Starc, Boland, and Hazlewood.
While Abbott was unlikely to feature in the Perth Test, his absence still reduces Australia’s fast-bowling options and removes an experienced reserve ahead of the grueling Ashes schedule.
Cummins Still Recovering, Smith to Lead in Perth
With Pat Cummins recovering from a back issue, Steve Smith will once again step into the captaincy role for the first Test at Optus Stadium. Cummins is expected to make his return for the second Test in Brisbane, starting 4 December.
Smith, who previously captained Australia in 34 Tests, will lead a side that includes a mix of veterans and emerging stars. The absence of Cummins and Abbott makes Hazlewood’s availability all the more crucial, particularly given his experience in Ashes contests and strong record in home conditions.
Hazlewood’s Return to Red-Ball Cricket
Before this week, Hazlewood had not featured in a first-class match for New South Wales in over a year, with his most recent long-format outing dating back to 2024. His comeback in the Sheffield Shield was intended to build match fitness ahead of the Ashes, and despite the brief injury scare, he looks ready for the challenge.
Australia’s coaching staff are expected to manage Hazlewood’s workload carefully, especially given his history of soft-tissue injuries over recent seasons. However, his consistency, control, and ability to extract bounce and movement make him a central figure in Australia’s bowling plans.
The Road to the First Ashes Test
The upcoming Ashes opener in Perth marks the beginning of one of cricket’s most anticipated rivalries. With England bringing a rejuvenated squad under Ben Stokes, and Australia determined to defend the urn on home soil, both sides are managing crucial fitness concerns.
For Australia, the trio of Starc, Hazlewood, and Boland will shoulder the fast-bowling duties in Cummins’ absence, supported by Nathan Lyon as the lead spinner. All eyes will be on Hazlewood to see if he can continue his strong Ashes form, having taken 39 wickets in 15 Tests against England to date.
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