Australia has suffered its first major blow in the Ashes series against England. Star fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the first Test due to injury. Hazlewood had withdrawn from the New South Wales squad for the Sheffield Shield match against Victoria. Scans revealed a hamstring injury. Australia has added Michael Neser to the squad. Neser will join the team as cover for Hazlewood and Sean Abbott.
Josh Hazlewood’s injury caused worries
“Josh Hazlewood has undergone a re-scan, which has confirmed a hamstring strain,” Cricket Australia said in a statement. An initial scan on Wednesday did not reveal a muscle strain, but a new scan has now confirmed the injury. As a result, Hazlewood will not be able to travel to Perth and has been ruled out of the first Ashes Test. Michael Neser has been added to the Australian squad for the first Test. Neser will replace Hazlewood and Sean Abbott. Neser has played two Test matches, making his debut against England at the Adelaide Oval in 2021.
“Josh Hazlewood underwent further imaging today, which confirmed a hamstring strain. Initial scans on Wednesday showed no signs of a muscle problem, but today’s follow-up imaging confirmed the injury. Initial 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.
CA also announced that Michael Neser has been added to Australia’s squad as cover for Hazlewood and Sean Abbott, who suffered a hamstring strain in the same NSW-Victoria Sheffield Shield match. Neser, a fast-bowling all-rounder, has played two Test matches and made his debut against England at the Adelaide Oval in 2021. Hazlewood’s injury means Australia now struggles to include enough fast bowling options in their lineup in Perth, especially with captain Pat Cummins already ruled out with a lower back injury.