Veteran Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood’s participation in the ongoing Ashes series has become uncertain after he suffered a low-grade Achilles injury. This setback has raised fresh doubts over whether the fast bowler will be available for selection in the remaining matches of the Test series on home soil.
Hazlewood was not available for selection for the first two Tests of the Ashes 2025–26 series. The 34-year-old suffered a hamstring problem during the Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Victoria in preparation for the Ashes. He took 14 wickets in three Test matches against West Indies in July.
Josh Hazlewood suffers minor injury ahead of third Test
Josh Hazlewood was expected to join the Australian squad in Brisbane to continue his rehabilitation. However, the plan was canceled after suffering a new low-grade Achilles injury. The fast bowler will remain in Sydney until his recovery.
Cricket Australia has not yet given any clear timeline for his return, and the severity of the setback is still uncertain. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, he could start bowling next week, but doubts remain over his availability for the upcoming matches.
With the third Test starting on 17 December, there is growing concern that Hazlewood may not be fit in time and may only return for the Boxing Day Test or later in the series.
Josh Hazlewood’s Achilles injury raises concerns
Cricket Australia confirmed on Friday that Josh Hazlewood has suffered Achilles pain during his recovery from a recent hamstring injury. However, officials are hopeful that Hazlewood will resume running and bowling sometime next week as part of his rehabilitation.
“Josh Hazlewood reported Achilles soreness this week during his rehabilitation from a recent hamstring injury,” a CA spokesperson said in a statement. “It’s a low-grade issue, and hopefully he’ll start running and bowling next week.”
Hazlewood could miss at least the Boxing Day Test depending on his Achilles injury. This right-arm fast bowler has been struggling with injuries in recent years. He has missed seven Tests since the start of 2024, including due to Achilles-related problems.
Josh Hazlewood doubtful for remaining Ashes amid injury concerns
Hazlewood may miss the remaining Ashes. He has suffered several fitness setbacks in recent years, including a calf problem that ruled him out of most of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy matches last season. This fast bowler has taken 295 wickets in 76 Test matches at an average of 24.21.
Australia won the first Test, with Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc leading the bowling attack. They are also without captain Pat Cummins, who is recovering from a back injury. In 2023, Hazlewood was out of cricket for four months due to an Achilles injury and had to miss the India Test series.
The timeline of his recovery remains uncertain, which has Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) also worried. Hazlewood often takes longer than expected to recover from Achilles injuries. However, his main focus is to regain fitness in time to participate in the ongoing Ashes series.
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