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On Saturday, November 15, Cricket Australia (CA) received a massive setback as they will now be without senior pacer Josh Hazlewood, who has been ruled out of the opening Ashes Test in Perth with a hamstring injury. This comes days after the New South Wales pacer was cleared fit following a sudden walk off the field in Sheffield Shield match.
After leaving the field mid-way through the match along with Sean Abbott, Hazlewood was initially cleared fit after scans however, Sean Abbott was confirmed to have sustained “moderate grade” strain to his left hamstring, ruling him out of the Ashes opener. But the recent scans have added signs of worry in the Aussie camp as they will now be without Hazlewood.
Michael Neser called in as cover for Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott for first Ashes Test
Notably, a follow-up imaging on Saturday, November 15 confirmed the injury. In a statement, Cricket Australia confirmed, "Early imaging can occasionally underestimate low-grade muscle injuries," thus giving a major blow to the hosts, who are anyway without skipper and pacer Pat Cummins. However, CA have brought in Michael Neser into the squad as cover for Hazlewood and Abbott.
While the pace duo of Hazlewood and Abbott will not travel with the team to Perth, Pat Cummins will be with the side. Speaking of Neser, the Aussie bowler has played two Test matches. While he is unlikely to feature in the game, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland will take charge of the pace attack with Nathan Lyon will be the lead spinner.
Australia’s squad for first Ashes Test:
Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
