Australia were dealt a huge blow yesterday, with Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the first Ashes Test against England, leaving their pace stocks precariously thin with Pat Cummins and Sean Abbott also sidelined.
The 34-year-old tweaked his hamstring during New South Wales’s Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria during the week.
He was initially given the all-clear after a scan, but repeat imaging confirmed the strain.
Photo: AFP
“Initial scans Wednesday were clear of muscle strain, however follow-up imaging today has confirmed the injury,” Cricket Australia said. “Early imaging can occasionally underestimate low-grade muscle injuries.”
“As a result, Hazlewood will not travel to Perth and has been ruled out of the first Ashes Test match,” it said.
It is a massive setback for the hosts just days out from the opening Test in Perth on Friday with Cummins also missing the match.
The Australian captain has not played since picking up a lower back injury against the West Indies more than three months ago.
He is targeting being back for the second Test in Brisbane on Dec. 4, but it is unclear when Hazlewood would be fit enough to feature in the five-Test series.
Reserve fast bowler Abbott is also an injury casualty, hurting his hamstring in the same match as Hazlewood with his return also clouded.
Michael Neser, who has played two Tests, was called up to the squad yesterday as cover.
With Hazlewood and Cummins both absent, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon would lead a weakened attack in Perth with Brendan Doggett looking likely to make his debut.
The blow came as star England speedster Mark Wood won his battle to be fit in a boost for the tourists as they bid to win the Ashes for the first time in Australia since 2010-2011.
Wood, 35, complained of left hamstring stiffness during England’s only warm-up game this week.
It was his first match in almost nine months following knee surgery, and he only got through eight overs before leaving the field.
“Following precautionary scans on Friday, England fast bowler Mark Wood has been cleared of any concerns regarding his left hamstring,” the England Cricket Board said. “Wood will continue to train as planned in the build-up to the first Test in Perth.”
He did not bowl on the final day of the warm-up match against the second-tier England Lions yesterday, where Ollie Pope blasted 90 to go with his first innings 100. Joe Root made 31, but openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett both fell cheaply.
Barring further complications, Wood is set to lead the Test attack, potentially alongside Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue.
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