Josh Hazlewood of Australia celebrates the dismissal of Jomel Warrican of West Indies through the 1st day of the first Check match between West Indies and Australia at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados, on June 25, 2025. – AFP
Australia have suffered one other blow forward of the Ashes opener in opposition to England after quick bowler Josh Hazlewood was dominated out resulting from a hamstring damage on Saturday, additional weakening their bowling assault after the lack of captain Pat Cummins.
Hazlewood went to hospital for scans on a doable hamstring damage throughout a home match on the Sydney Cricket Floor on Wednesday, however was initially cleared of a pressure and was set to journey to Perth for the primary Ashes take a look at.
Nonetheless, later checks confirmed a hamstring damage for the 34-year-old, who can be changed by Michael Neser.
“Early imaging can occasionally underestimate low-grade muscle injuries,” Cricket Australia stated in an announcement.
“As a result, Hazlewood will not travel to Perth and has been ruled out (of the first Ashes test match).
“Michael Neser has been added to the Australian squad for the primary take a look at. Neser is available in to offer cowl for Hazlewood and Sean Abbott.”
All-rounder Neser has played two test matches for Australia, featuring in a 275-run victory over England in December 2021 and a 419-run win over the West Indies in December 2022. He has taken seven test wickets.
Hazlewood’s injury will also likely see uncapped 31-year-old Brendan Doggett make his test debut in Perth.
England relief
On the flip side, England breathed a sigh of relief after pace spearhead Mark Wood was cleared of a hamstring injury.
Fast bowler Wood left the field on Thursday complaining of hamstring stiffness after bowling eight overs for an England XI against a second-string England Lions side during an Ashes warm-up game.
“He’s not anticipated to characteristic in the present day – the third day of England’s warm-up match in opposition to the Lions XI at Lilac Hill Park, Perth.
“Wood will continue to train as planned in the build-up to the first test in Perth.”
Wooden, who was one in all England’s standout bowlers within the 2021-22 sequence when he claimed 17 wickets, had been sidelined since February resulting from a knee damage and hoped to construct up match health within the warm-up match forward of the Ashes.
The 35-year-old is among the many quickest bowlers in world cricket and can lead England’s bowling assault — which additionally options the likes of Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue — for the five-match sequence starting in Perth on November 21.
