Hazlewood Injury Weakens Australia Before Ashes Opener

Australia have suffered a major setback ahead of the first Ashes Test against England after fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was ruled out with a hamstring injury. This news comes at a difficult time for Australia, as they are already without their captain and main bowler Pat Cummins for the opener. Hazlewood’s absence creates a big hole in the Australian bowling attack just days before the important match in Perth.

Hazlewood first felt discomfort during a domestic match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday. He went for scans, and doctors initially believed there was no serious muscle strain. Because of this early result, Hazlewood was expected to travel with the team to Perth for the first Test. However, later and more detailed tests confirmed that the 34-year-old had a real hamstring injury that needed rest and treatment. Cricket Australia explained that early imaging sometimes fails to show small or low-grade muscle injuries.

With Hazlewood officially ruled out, Cricket Australia announced that all-rounder Michael Neser would replace him in the squad. Neser has played two Test matches for Australia. He made his Test debut in December 2021, helping Australia beat England by 275 runs. He also played against the West Indies in 2022, when Australia won by 419 runs. Neser has taken seven Test wickets so far. He has good experience in domestic cricket and is seen as a reliable backup option who can bowl long spells.

Hazlewood’s injury may also open the door for 31-year-old Brendan Doggett to make his Test debut. Doggett, who has been performing well in domestic cricket, is now being considered as part of Australia’s fast-bowling attack for the match in Perth. With both Cummins and Hazlewood unavailable, the selectors may give Doggett his first opportunity on the big stage, especially because the Perth pitch usually supports fast bowlers.

While Australia deal with injuries, England received encouraging news. Fast bowler Mark Wood was cleared of any hamstring injury after undergoing precautionary scans. Wood left the field on Thursday during an Ashes warm-up match after feeling stiffness in his hamstring. England feared the worst, especially because Wood had recently returned from a knee injury. However, the scans showed no damage, and the England Cricket Board confirmed that he can continue training normally.

Mark Wood was one of England’s top performers in the 2021-22 Ashes series, where he took 17 wickets. England are counting on him again, especially because he is one of the fastest bowlers in the world. Although he will not play the final warm-up match at Lilac Hill Park, he is expected to be available for the first Test in Perth on November 21. Wood will lead England’s pace attack, supported by Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, and Josh Tongue, making England’s bowling unit strong and dangerous.

As the Ashes opener approaches, the two teams face very different situations. Australia struggle with key injuries and must find the right replacements. England, on the other hand, feel more confident after Wood’s recovery. With both sides aiming for a strong start in Perth, the first match of the five-Test series promises to be intense, competitive, and important for setting the tone of the entire Ashes battle.