Australia’s buildup to the Ashes has hit yet another roadblock, and this one might sting the hardest.
Just days before the first Test against England on 21 November, star pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out after follow-up scans confirmed a hamstring injury, adding to what is becoming a worrying injury list for the defending champions.
Hazlewood picked up the issue during a Sheffield Shield game, initially sparking hope when early scans showed no muscle strain. But a second round of imaging delivered the news Australia were dreading, forcing selectors into a late reshuffle.
The timing of this setback could not be worse for Australia. Captain Pat Cummins has already been sidelined from the opening contest, and Sean Abbott is also unavailable, meaning Australia’s pace battery has been stripped of its most experienced operators. The pressure to lead the attack now falls on the remaining fit quicks, while the squad has been reinforced by Michael Neser, who joins as injury cover.
For a camp already anxious about workload and fitness ahead of a long Ashes series, Hazlewood’s withdrawal is a significant blow.
England, meanwhile, will not be complaining about the pacer’s exclusion. Hazlewood has taken 76 wickets against them, and Ben Stokes’ side will be looking to take full advantage of his absence in the opening Ashes game. The visitors, however, are also battling injury and illness concerns of their own. Mark Wood could potentially miss the first match due to hamstring issues, while Brydon Carse has missed a large portion of England’s warm-up game because of a stomach bug.
With both Australia and England battling concerns off the field, the 2025/26 Ashes promises another unpredictable spectacle.