Josh Hazlewood, Australia’s star speedster, is a major question for the rest of the series due to a hamstring injury that is thought to be more serious than first thought. This comes less than a day after Australia’s historic triumph in the first Test match against England in Perth.
After bowling just nine overs in the second innings of the Sheffield Shield match against Victoria two weeks ago, Hazlewood was “sent off the pitch” by New South Wales captain Steve Smith. A subsequent report declared Hazlewood ineligible for the Perth Test, notwithstanding his initial clearance.
According to reports, Josh Hazlewood is now a significant doubt for the rest of the Ashes.
Reputable journalist Peter Lalor stated on 7cricket, “If these rumours I’m hearing about Josh Hazlewood are true, we’re not gonna see him again [for the rest of the series] if the worst comes to fruition.”
Josh Hazlewood missed the bulk of the 2024–2025 Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to a calf injury, therefore if he doesn’t play in the rest of this Ashes, it will be his second straight summer missing due to injury. Additionally, since Boxing Day 2019, he has only appeared in 14 home Test matches and missed four of the five Ashes Tests in 2021–2022. Mitchell Starc, on the other hand, has participated in 26 home Test matches over that time.
The good news for Australia, however, is that captain Pat Cummins is expected to return quickly and has a decent chance of being fit for the second Test, which begins on December 4 in Brisbane. The day-night Test is being played at the Gabba this time, which is noteworthy.
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