Australia’s premier fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the first Ashes Test against England in Perth after scans confirmed a hamstring strain, significantly weakening the home side’s pace attack for the series opener.
Hazlewood sustained the injury while playing for New South Wales on Wednesday. Initial medical assessments cleared him of any serious damage, but follow-up imaging conducted on Friday revealed a low-grade muscle strain in his hamstring. Cricket Australia confirmed the diagnosis, stating that early scans can sometimes underestimate such injuries. As a result, Hazlewood will not travel to Perth and is officially out of the first Test.
This development compounds Australia’s bowling woes, as captain and pace spearhead Pat Cummins had already been ruled out of the Perth Test due to a back issue. With two members of their famed “big three” pace trio missing, Australia’s attack appears severely depleted. Mitchell Starc remains the only frontline seamer from the regular lineup available for the series opener.
In response, selectors have called up veteran all-rounder Michael Neser to the squad as cover. Neser, who has played two Tests but none since 2022, brings experience and is already in Perth after recent Sheffield Shield duties. Scott Boland is expected to join Starc in the playing XI, while Brendan Doggett is in line for a potential Test debut if needed.
Hazlewood’s absence echoes his injury troubles during the last home Ashes series four years ago, where a side strain limited him to just one Test appearance. The 33-year-old has taken 295 wickets in 76 Tests and is a key component of Australia’s bowling strategy. His reliability and control will be sorely missed on the pace-friendly Perth pitch.
On a positive note for the visitors, England pace bowler Mark Wood was cleared of his own hamstring concern on the same day. Wood’s availability provides a boost for England, who are considering their options for the first Test. The contrasting fitness news sets up an intriguing battle between the two teams’ depleted attacks.
The injuries to Hazlewood and Cummins have raised questions about Australia’s depth and the age profile of their squad, with several players in their mid-30s. Selectors may need to look at younger options like Jhye Richardson, who is recovering from shoulder surgery and could feature later in the series.
Looking ahead, Cummins is expected to return for the second Test in Brisbane, where he would resume captaincy duties from stand-in skipper Steve Smith. However, there is no clear timeline for Hazlewood’s recovery beyond the Perth match, leaving Australia’s management to assess his fitness in the coming days.
