The Australian team, which is preparing for the Ashes series, has suffered another major blow. Fast bowler Sean Abbott has been ruled out of the first Test of the highly anticipated series, starting in Perth on November 21st, due to injury. Sean Abbott and Josh Hazlewood were playing for Wales in the Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Victoria. Both fast bowlers complained of injuries and had to leave the field.
Multiple injury concerns
Both players left the field during the first session of the third day of the ongoing match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Neither returned to the field after the lunch break. Both bowlers were sent for scans. Following the scans, Sean Abbott has been ruled out of the first Test of the Ashes series, while Josh Hazlewood has been cleared to resume preparations for the first Ashes match in Perth.
In this first-class match, Hazlewood dismissed Sam Harper in the 34.5th over of Victoria’s second innings. Meanwhile, Abbott destroyed Victoria’s middle order, taking 4/18 in 9 overs. In the first innings of this match, Abbott took 1 wicket and Hazlewood went wicketless. Josh Hazlewood had previously bowled brilliantly in the recent limited-overs series against India, and Abbott was selected as one of Australia’s backup fast bowlers for the first Test.
Australia to face England
Australia will be playing the first Ashes match against England without Pat Cummins, who is currently recovering from a back injury. If additional bowlers are needed for the first Test, Michael Neser will be the frontrunner, but after that, the capabilities of Australia’s reserve bowlers will be severely tested.
In the match being played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Victoria won the toss and elected to bat, scoring 382 runs in their first innings. Peter Handscomb scored 104 runs, while Sam Harper made 54. In response, New South Wales were bowled out for just 128 runs in their first innings. Captain Steve Smith top-scored with 57 runs.