Josh Hazlewood ruled out for first Ashes Test in huge blow for Australia as England given Mark Wood bost

Join the Miguel Delaney team: Inside Football Join the Miguel Delaney Inside newsletter to get exclusive access and unparalleled insight. Football NewsletterJoin the Miguel Delaney inside Football NewsletterAustralian cricket has suffered another major blow ahead of the Ashes Test with Josh Hazlewood being ruled out. Hazlewood sustained a hamstring tear playing for New South Wales in this week’s match but was hurriedly cleared by officials. Cricket Australia (CA) just hours after the issue first arose.Further assessments have now shown a muscle strain and he has been pulled from the squad for Friday’s series opener at Perth’s Optus Stadium.open image in galleryBoth Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are out of the first Test (PA)That leaves two of Australia’s much-vaunted ‘big three’ CA released a statement saying: “Josh Hazlewood underwent repeat imaging today that has confirmed a hamstring strain injury.open image in galleryJosh Hazlewood has suffered a set-back (PA Archive)“Initial scans Wednesday were clear of muscle strain however follow-up imaging today has confirmed the injury. Early imaging can occasionally underestimate low-grade muscle injuries.“As a result, Hazlewood will not travel to Perth and has been ruled out of the first NRMA Insurance Ashes Test Match.”Open image in galleryBrendan Dogett seems ready to make his Test debut. (Getty Images).Former England Captain Michael Vaughan said on X that they could use their double setback as a springboard to pivot toward a fast-paced, bouncy pitch to play to Nathan Lyon’s strengths.“Ominous early signs that the run of the green you require to win big series is swaying England’s way…Huge chance for them to go 1 up in Perth,” He wrote.“I just wonder if Australia will now attempt to make a dry track to make sure Lyon is hugely in the game.”England have got their own concerns over a hamstring muscle but reported an optimistic take on Mark Wood’s fitness. He experienced stiffness in his left leg after bowling eight overs on the first day of their warm-up match against England Lions at Lilac Hill and was sent for tests.open image in galleryEngland’s Mark Wood has been cleared of serious injury (PA Archive)They have shown no serious cause for concern and England will be crossing their fingers things do not develop in the same way as Hazlewood’s problems.A spokesperson for the England and Wales Cricket Board said: “Following precautionary scans on Friday, England fast bowler Mark Wood has been cleared of any concerns regarding his left hamstring.“Wood will continue to train as planned in the build-up to the first Test in Perth.”Brydon Carese, who had been ill for the first two days of the tour, returned to action on Saturday with a six-over hostile spell that saw him dismiss both Lions openers. Tom Haines cut to backwards point, and Ben McKinney (68) drove low into extra-cover. Shoaib Bahir’s hopes of selection were lowered further after nine wicketless overs at 66.
2025-11-15 07:03:28