Hazlewood latest Australian to be ruled out of Perth Test with hamstring injury, Michael Neser to replace him.
Hazlewood out of Ashes opener with hamstring injury.
Josh Hazlewood, who was initially cleared when he left the pitch during New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at the SCG, has been ruled out of the opening Test in Perth due to a hamstring injury, dealing Australia a severe setback ahead of the Ashes.
Sean Abbott has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury, while Queensland seamer Michael Neser has been added to the team. Hazlewood will not be visiting Perth this weekend.
Due to a back issue, Pat Cummins has already been ruled out of at least the first Test.
“Initial scans Wednesday were clear of muscle strain, however follow-up imaging today has confirmed the injury,” a CA statement on Saturday said. “Early imaging can occasionally underestimate low-grade muscle injuries.”
Due to the most recent injury, Brendan Doggett may be nearing his Test debut, putting even more pressure on Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc.
Hazlewood’s announcement comes after England had a scare with Mark Wood, who sought a scan after complaining of hamstring soreness on the first day of the warm-up match against the Lions in Perth. However, the ECB stated on Saturday that he had been cleared.
Hazlewood, who currently has 295 Test wickets, bowled brilliantly against India in the white-ball contests last month and appeared to be in terrific form throughout his Shield games. But when he reported hamstring soreness to Steven Smith on the third morning after finishing his period, Smith advised him to leave the pitch right away.
Australia’s pace-bowling depth is already being put to the test, and more injuries would force them to look for alternatives. As he recovers from shoulder surgery, Jhye Richardson, who has been picked in the Cricket Australia XI to play the England Lions, may be a possibility later in the series. Another person who might be a contender is Xavier Bartlett.