Ashes Alarm: Hazlewood Cleared, Abbott Ruled Out Before Perth Test
Just nine days out from the first Ashes Test in Perth, Australia faced a tense moment when two of its fast bowlers, Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott, were sidelined for scans after a Sheffield Shield match. Both were seen leaving the SCG on day three of New South Wales’ game against Victoria, heading to a nearby clinic to assess potential hamstring injuries. The concern was immediate because any injury to Hazlewood, in particular, could seriously impact Australia’s bowling strength, especially with captain Pat Cummins already unavailable for the opener.
Fortunately for the Aussies, Hazlewood’s scare turned out to be minor. The bowler reportedly walked into the clinic with confidence, and after scans, he was cleared of any serious muscle strain. Hazlewood is expected to continue training and will join the Ashes squad in Perth as planned. Cummins, who was present at the SCG, reassured the media that Hazlewood was in good spirits, noting that he knows his body well and seemed much happier after being assessed.
Also Read:- Canucks Show Resilience in Heartbreaking OT Loss to Avalanche
- Gonzaga Blows Out Creighton with Dominant Second-Half Run
The news was not as positive for Sean Abbott. Scans revealed a moderate hamstring tear, ruling him out of selection for the first Test. Abbott had bowled effectively in the first session, even taking three wickets in six balls, before leaving the ground to be examined. His absence will reduce the immediate back-up options in the 15-player squad, placing extra importance on other players to fill the void.
The situation highlights how crucial Hazlewood’s fitness is, particularly with Cummins missing the series opener due to a back injury. Scott Boland is expected to step into the XI in Cummins’ place, but the absence of Hazlewood or Abbott could have left selectors scrambling. Thankfully, Hazlewood’s clearance keeps the Australian attack relatively stable. If Hazlewood had been unavailable, players like Brendan Doggett, who has been in strong form for South Australia, could have been called up to debut. Doggett has recently taken two five-wicket hauls after returning from a hamstring injury, marking him as one of the country’s in-form fast bowlers.
Other factors will also be under consideration for the Perth Test, including Cameron Green’s fitness and whether Beau Webster should remain as the second all-rounder. Green has bowled at a good pace in recent games, while Webster is competing with Jake Weatherald for a spot, depending on whether selectors prioritize extra bowling or specialist batting.
With Hazlewood now cleared, Australia can breathe a little easier, but the Ashes opener will still be a test of squad depth and resilience. After all, the team has not entered a Test match without at least some combination of Cummins, Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc since December 2022, making this a rare moment where injuries could truly shift the balance before the first ball is bowled.
Read More:
0 Comments