Australia’s fast bowling depth will be put to an immediate test with Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the First Ashes Test starting next Friday in Perth.
The 76-Test veteran has succumbed to the hamstring injury picked up in the Sheffield Shield match against Victoria and joins Pat Cummins and Sean Abbott in Australia’s growing bowling casualty ward.
Cricket Australia confirmed the news in a statement, revealing the 34-year-old went for new scans on Saturday, which suggested the injury was worse than originally thought.
“Josh Hazlewood underwent repeat imaging today that has confirmed a hamstring strain injury,” the Cricket Australia statement said.
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“Initial scans Wednesday were clear of muscle strain however follow-up imaging today has confirmed the injury. Early imaging can occasionally underestimate low-grade muscle injuries,” it continued.
“As a result, Hazlewood will not travel to Perth and has been ruled out of the first NRMA Insurance Ashes Test Match.”
Hazlewood will remain in Sydney for treatment and South Australia’s Brendan Doggett now appears set to make his Test debut and become Australia’s 472nd Test cricketer, with Queensland’s Michael Neser also added to the squad.
Meanwhile, England has received better pre-Ashes news with paceman Mark Wood cleared of serious injury after pulling up tight on day one of the practice much against the England Lions at Lilac Hill.
It remains unclear if Wood will take his place in next week’s First Test at Perth Stadium.