Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has not recovered from a foot problem, which has kept him out of the first two Tests of the Ashes 2025-26 series against England. Head coach Andrew McDonald confirmed that Hazlewood has been ruled out of the remainder of the series due to ongoing hamstring and Achilles problems.
Australia played the first two Tests without Cummins and Hazlewood. While Cummins has recovered in time to rejoin the attack for the third Test in Adelaide, Hazlewood has not been as lucky. His injury troubles have ended any hopes he had of playing later in the series, closing the door on his potential comeback.
I expect Pat Cummins to toss the coin – Andrew McDonald
On Tuesday, Andrew McDonald confirmed that Pat Cummins is all set to rejoin the squad for the next Ashes Test. The coach revealed that Cummins will lead the team unless something unexpected happens before the game.
McDonald said, “We feel like the simulations in net have prepared his skills. His body is ready to go. Barring anything that happens next week, I expect Pat to toss the coin and wear the blazer.”
Josh Hazlewood’s preparations will now move towards the World Cup – Andrew McDonald
Andrew McDonald said that Josh Hazlewood will not participate in the remaining Ashes. McDonald said the team did not expect an Achilles problem when he was recovering from a hamstring injury. The coach also said that he will focus his attention on preparing for the T20 World Cup 2026.
“Unfortunately, Josh will not be part of the Ashes,” McDonald said. “Really, it’s just flat out for him. Some setbacks we didn’t see coming, and we thought he’d play a bigger role in the series.
“It’s a completely different injury. It’s somewhere down the calf to the Achilles area. His preparations will then move towards the World Cup, which is an incredibly important campaign for us.”
Under the leadership of Steve Smith, Australia has so far maintained its dominance in the Ashes by winning both the matches. The team has defeated Ben Stokes’ England team, leaving the visitors looking for answers after two one-sided matches.
We will always ask ourselves questions – Andrew McDonald
Usman Khawaja has been cleared to play ahead of the third Test. Although he is their first-choice opening batsman, his return for the upcoming match is not guaranteed. In his absence, Australia tried Travis Head and Jake Weatherald, who played important roles with the bat in the Brisbane Test.
Andrew McDonald said that with Khawaja back, the team will not lock itself into any fixed idea. He said that the selection decision will be taken test by test based on conditions and strategy rather than reputation.
“This time it worked,” McDonald said. “In the pink-ball Test at the Gabba, we felt that combination was right for those conditions and the opposition. We will always ask ourselves the question of what the selection table will be. In our strategy meetings, we will continue to ask the question of what is the best line-up for that time. And we are taking it test by test.”
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