Australia’s preparations for the opening Ashes Test have been disrupted by a mixed bag of news concerning their fast-bowling stocks. While senior paceman Josh Hazlewood has been cleared to join the squad in Perth, his teammate Sean Abbott has been ruled out of contention for the first match.
The concerns arose during a Sheffield Shield fixture, where both bowlers left the field for scans on hamstring issues. Medical assessments have since confirmed a moderate tear for Abbott, sidelining him. Hazlewood, however, has avoided a muscle strain and will proceed with his training schedule as planned.
Hazlewood’s fitness remains a critical factor for the home side, given the confirmed absence of captain Pat Cummins for the series opener as he manages a back injury. Scott Boland is set to step into the starting lineup, but the potential loss of Hazlewood would mean Australia fielding a Test side without two of its premier quicks for the first time in nearly three years.
In the event Hazlewood cannot play, South Australian quick Brendan Doggett has emerged as a strong candidate for a debut. Doggett has impressed since his own return from injury, capturing two five-wicket hauls and earning praise from Cummins, who noted the bowler’s excellent recent form.
Cummins, present at the Sydney Cricket Ground, provided an update on his own recovery, stating he is building towards a return. While targeting the second Test in Brisbane, he acknowledged that playing in Perth would be an “aggressive” timeline, with the third Test in Adelaide also a possibility.
These bowling concerns also bring the role of all-rounder Cameron Green into sharper focus for the first Test. Green bowled a significant spell in Perth, his most substantial workload since back surgery, which will be a welcome sight for selectors. His fitness, alongside the composition of the lower order, will be a key discussion point as the management weighs its options ahead of the highly anticipated series.