Josh Hazlewood Cleared to Play First Ashes Test; Sean Abbott Ruled Out with Hamstring Injury

Josh Hazlewood has been cleared to play for Australia in the first Ashes Test against England after a small injury scare, while fellow fast bowler Sean Abbott has been ruled out. Both got hamstring injuries while playing for New South Wales against Victoria in the Sheffield Shield. Scans showed that Hazlewood, 34, did not have a serious problem, but Abbott has a moderate hamstring injury.

Captain Pat Cummins will miss the first Test starting on 21 November, so losing Hazlewood too would have been a big setback for Australia. Abbott was not expected to play in Perth, as Hazlewood is likely to join Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland as the main fast bowlers.

Cummins is recovering from a back injury and is expected to return for the second Test in Brisbane on 4 December. In his absence, Steve Smith will captain Australia. Like many Australian players, Hazlewood is playing in the Sheffield Shield to prepare for the Ashes.

Before this week, he had not played a first-class match for New South Wales in over a year. He felt some tightness in his hamstring near the end of Victoria’s second innings on Wednesday and left the field as a precaution. Neither Hazlewood nor Abbott batted in New South Wales second innings as the team lost by 300 runs.

Hazlewood to Train Ahead of First Test, Confirmed Fit by Cricket Australia

"Josh Hazlewood will join the Australian squad as planned in Perth Ashes Test. Hazlewood left the field late in Victoria's innings at the SCG today, reporting tightness in his right hamstring. He underwent precautionary scans which have cleared him of muscle strain. He will train as planned in the lead up to the first Test in Perth" Cricket Australia said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Sean Abbott also left the field with pain in his left hamstring. Scans showed a moderate injury and he will miss the first Test in Perth. His recovery plan will be made in the coming weeks." statement added.

Abbott has played 57 matches for Australia in limited-overs cricket. The uncapped Brendan Doggett is the other fast bowler in the squad, serving as backup for Starc, Boland, and Hazlewood.