Australia’s pace attack weakened as Hazlewood ruled out of first Ashes Test

Australia's pace attack weakened as Hazlewood ruled out of first Ashes Test

Australia will enter the opening Ashes Test against England in Perth without two of their premier fast bowlers after Josh Hazlewood was ruled out with a hamstring strain, joining captain Pat Cummins on the sidelines.

Hazlewood, part of Australia's famed 'big three' pace attack alongside Cummins and Mitchell Starc, had initially passed scans after suffering a hamstring issue while playing for New South Wales earlier this week. However, follow-up imaging confirmed a muscle strain, forcing his withdrawal from the squad for the series opener at Optus Stadium.

The 33-year-old's absence compounds Australia's bowling woes, with Cummins already sidelined due to a back injury. Starc, the lone remaining member of the first-choice trio, will now lead the attack alongside Scott Boland, while uncapped seamer Brendan Doggett is poised to make his Test debut.

Reinforcements called up as injury crisis deepens

To bolster their depleted ranks, Australia have added 35-year-old Michael Neser to the squad. Neser, who last played a Test in 2022, brings experience but underscores the team's reliance on veterans, with multiple players now in their mid-30s. Fellow pacers Sean Abbott (hamstring), Spencer Johnson, and Lance Morris (long-term injuries) are also unavailable, further thinning the options.

Jhye Richardson, recovering from shoulder surgery, remains a potential option later in the series. The 28-year-old, who last featured in the 2019 Ashes, will continue his rehabilitation with a Cricket Australia XI match against England Lions next weekend.

England handed early advantage-but Australia still favoured

The news of Hazlewood's withdrawal coincides with England's clearance of pace bowler Mark Wood, who had also faced hamstring concerns. Despite Australia's injuries, former Test quick Jason Gillespie insists the hosts remain favourites to retain the Ashes.

"There's a small window England might see as an opportunity without Cummins and Hazlewood, but they should be careful," Gillespie told the BBC World Service.

"Scott Boland averages 12 in Australia, and Brendan Doggett is one of the quickest bowlers in the country. England shouldn't underestimate them."

Hazlewood's Ashes history marred by injuries

This setback echoes Hazlewood's limited role in the 2019-20 home Ashes, where a side strain restricted him to just one Test. While Cummins is expected to return for the second Test in Brisbane-where he would resume captaincy from stand-in Steve Smith-Hazlewood's timeline remains unclear.

Australia's team statement confirmed the severity of the injury: "Initial scans on Wednesday showed no muscle strain, but follow-up imaging revealed the issue. Low-grade strains can sometimes be missed in early assessments."

What's next for Australia's bowling lineup

With Neser already in Perth after a Sheffield Shield stint with Queensland, he provides immediate cover. The team will monitor Cummins' recovery ahead of the Brisbane Test, while Richardson's progress in the coming weeks could offer another option.

England, meanwhile, enter the series with a fully fit Wood and a potential psychological edge-but Gillespie's warning underscores the depth still present in Australia's ranks, even amid their injury crisis.