Hamstrung veteran Josh Hazlewood will miss the first Ashes Test, further stretching Australia’s pace depth.
Hazlewood suffered a hamstring strain on Wednesday while playing a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG.
Initial scans cleared him of major damage but the team revealed on Saturday that a follow-up scan confirmed the strain.
Hazlewood will remain at home, rather than joining teammates on the flight to Perth. It is unclear when he will be fit enough to feature in the five-Test series.
Captain Pat Cummins (back) is also missing the first Test, which begins at Optus Stadium on Friday.
Test squad member Sean Abbott is also sidelined, having suffered a hamstring setback on the same day during the same game as Hazlewood.
Hazlewood’s enforced omission will likely result in a Test debut for Brendan Doggett, while Michael Neser has been added to Australia’s squad.
The series-opener will mark the first time since December, 2022, that Australia have started a Test without two of their ‘Big Three’ pacemen.
Mitchell Starc is set to spearhead a weakened attack that will also feature Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland and most likely Doggett.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/cricket/ashes-blow-for-aussies-star-paceman-to-miss-first-test-c-20686343
