Legendary Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood, who was seen as an asset for the Australians in the upcoming Ashes tour, has been assessed for a potential hamstring injury. He could be the second hammerman for the Australians after skipper Pat Cummins.
The Ashes begin on November 21 and the Australians will defend their title on home soil against a stronger England side, who are said to have charged their deadliest pace attack.
On the other hand, the Australians suffered multiple blows before the start of the crucial series. Skipper and deadliest asset with the red ball, Pat Cummins, has been ruled out of the series-opening clash.
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Josh Hazlewood assessed for potential injuries ahead of Ashes tour of Australia
The Australian speed deck has already faced a major blow in the form of Pat Cummins, who was ruled out of the first Ashes match. The axed skipper was replaced by Steve Smith as the new captain of the Australian team.
Now playing in the Sheffield Shield, Josh Hazlewood has dealt with an injury that poses a threat to his Ashes campaign. As a result, he is currently being evaluated for possible hamstring injuries.
Without a doubt, Hazlewood is Australia’s best bowler since IPL 2025 and his return from injury. After leading RCB to their maiden title, the big pacer has destroyed the batting order of several teams, posing a major threat with the white ball so far.
Fellow NSW coach Sean Abbott to be assessed for injury ahead of Ashes
Josh Hazlewood’s national teammate and Australian speedster Sean Abbott has been chosen as skipper Pat Cummins’ replacement for the first Test in Perth. The bowler also played a T20 match last week against India, replacing Josh Hazlewood.
Abbott himself followed Hazlewood to leave the India T20 series midway and join the New South Wales camp to prepare for the Ashes with a Sheffield Shield match. Australian legends Steve Smith and youngster Cameron Green were both seen at the Sheffield Shield events.
Abbott, who plays for New South Wales, is also under major threat and will be assessed alongside Hazlewood for a possible hamstring injury. If these two tests do not go well, the Australians could lose two leaders before the first test.
Who will play alongside Mitchell Starc if Josh Hazlewood is ruled out?
Legendary left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc remains the only veteran star among Australia’s three speedbombs. With Cummins and Hazlewood gone, Starc will lead the Australian attack alongside Scott Boland.
Boland has been known to replace Hazlewood or Cummins on several occasions due to previous injuries. Alongside Mitchell Starc and Boland, Australia would need their third point guard in the team, and with Abbott’s departure, they will have to call on replacements.
Beau Webster and Nathan Lyon remain the other two stars with the ball for Australia, who will arrive with medium pace and off-spin bowling.
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