Australia’s Ashes preparations have taken a major hit after Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the first Test in Perth, leaving the hosts’ pace attack severely weakened just days before the opener against England.
Hazlewood, who had initially been given the all-clear despite limping off with a hamstring issue while playing for New South Wales midweek, underwent follow-up scans that revealed a strain, forcing selectors into a rapid reshuffle.
The 34-year-old’s withdrawal comes on top of captain Pat Cummins being sidelined with a back problem, meaning two-thirds of Australia’s first-choice pace trio will be missing in Perth.
With 295 Test wickets to his name, Hazlewood was expected to play a leading role on a traditionally pace-friendly surface, but he will instead remain at home as medical staff assess the extent of the injury.
“Initial scans on Wednesday were clear of muscle strain, however follow-up imaging has confirmed the injury,” Cricket Australia said in a statement.
“Early imaging can occasionally underestimate low-grade muscle injuries. As a result, Hazlewood will not travel to Perth and has been ruled out of the first Ashes Test match.”
Mitchell Starc is now the only member of Australia’s frontline trio available for the opener and is set to lead an attack reshaped on the fly.
Josh Hazlewood is a key player for Australia
|GETTY
Scott Boland, whose remarkable record in home conditions includes a Test average of just 12, is expected to slot straight in.
Brendan Doggett, one of the fastest bowlers in the domestic game, has been placed on standby for a potential debut.
Fellow seamer Michael Neser, already in Perth after a Sheffield Shield fixture with Queensland, has been drafted in as cover. The 35-year-old has two Test caps but has not played at this level since 2022.
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Australia’s growing injury list extends beyond Cummins and Hazlewood.
Sean Abbott is unavailable with his own hamstring problem, while emerging quicks Spencer Johnson and Lance Morris remain long-term absentees.
Jhye Richardson, who last appeared in a Test against England four years ago, is still working his way back from shoulder surgery and will continue his recovery by turning out for a Cricket Australia XI against the England Lions next weekend.
The timing of Hazlewood’s setback was particularly striking, arriving on the same day England’s Mark Wood was cleared to play after his own hamstring scare.
Even so, former Australia paceman Jason Gillespie warned that England would be unwise to assume the hosts are suddenly vulnerable.
Speaking to the BBC, he said: “There’s a little window of opportunity, potentially, England will identify, not having Hazlewood or Cummins in Perth.
Pat Cummins won't be involved in the first Ashes Test
| PA“They might see that as a bit of a sniff of an opportunity, but I would say just beware.
“Scott Boland is a superb bowler, averages 12 in Australia. Brendan Doggett is in fine form and one of the quickest bowlers in Australia. England should be wary, in my opinion.”
Hazlewood’s long-term availability remains unclear.
He played only once in Australia’s last home Ashes series four years ago due to a side injury, and this latest setback arrives at an awkward moment.
Cummins, however, is believed to be on track to return for the second Test in Brisbane, where he is expected to retake the captaincy from Steve Smith.
With a depleted attack and pressure rising ahead of the opening clash, Australia must now rely on a mix of experience and raw pace to keep England at bay - and hope the injury tide begins to turn.