Australia have suffered a major blow ahead of the first match of the Ashes 2025-26 against England in Perth, with Josh Hazlewood ruled out with a hamstring injury. With Hazlewood, Sean Abbott and captain Pat Cummins unavailable, Brendon Doggett is expected to make his debut for the national cricket team.
Hazlewood suffered a hamstring injury while representing New South Wales in a Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at the Sydney Cricket Ground earlier in the week. Initial medical tests confirmed no major damage to the veteran fast bowler. However, the strain was confirmed in a scan conducted on Saturday.
Cricket Australia releases official statement on Josh Hazlewood’s injury
On Saturday, Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed that the second round of scans has revealed Josh Hazlewood’s hamstring strain. Hazlewood has been withdrawn from the trip to Perth and will miss the first Ashes match.
“Josh Hazlewood underwent repeat imaging today, which confirmed a hamstring strain injury. The strain was evident in the initial scan on Wednesday, but today’s follow-up imaging confirmed the injury.”
“Early imaging can sometimes underestimate low-grade muscle injuries. As a result, Hazlewood will not travel to Perth and has been ruled out,” CA said in a statement.
Brendan Doggett expected to make Test debut in Perth
Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out after scans confirmed a hamstring strain. Pat Cummins has been out of the field for more than three months due to the lower back injury he suffered against West Indies. He is targeting a comeback in the second Test to be held in Brisbane in December.
Meanwhile, Sean Abbott also suffered a hamstring problem during New South Wales’ recent Sheffield Shield match. With Hazlewood, Cummins and Abbott unavailable, Australia’s pace attack will be led by Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland.
Uncapped fast bowler Brendan Doggett, who impressed for South Australia with two five-wicket hauls after returning from injury, is expected to make his Test debut in Perth.
Cameron Green has increased his bowling workload following recent back surgery. The all-rounder may have to bear a heavy burden in the absence of Australia’s leading fast bowlers.
England’s fast bowler Mark Wood is doubtful to play ahead of the Ashes opener.
England fast bowler Mark Wood is also doubtful to play before the Ashes opener in Perth. The 35-year-old fast bowler underwent a scan after leaving the field with hamstring tightness during England’s practice match at Lilac Hill, where he bowled eight overs without taking a wicket.
Scans revealed no serious damage. However, as a precaution, Wood was advised not to bowl on the third day of the intra-squad match. The team management will carefully assess his workload before taking a decision on his participation in the first Test against Australia starting next Friday.
Given Wood’s injury history and a long Ashes series ahead, England are expected to manage Wood carefully. The Three Lions last won a Test series on Australian soil in 2010–11. However, he has struggled in recent Ashes campaigns.
Also read: Nitish Rana leaves Rajasthan Royals, Donovan Ferreira also leaves, IPL trade confirmed
