Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the first Ashes Test after a follow-up scan confirmed a low-grade hamstring tear. The Australian paceman initially reported discomfort during a Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Victoria, and initial scans had cleared him of any strain. However, repeat imaging on Saturday revealed the injury, prompting Cricket Australia to rule him out of the series opener in Perth.
Hazlewood's absence is a significant blow for Australia, who are already without captain Pat Cummins due to lumbar bone stress. Mitchell Starc remains the only frontline seamer available for selection. Sean Abbott, who also injured his hamstring in the same match, has been dropped from the squad, with Michael Neser called up as cover. Hazlewood, who turns 35 on the day the Ashes series concludes, has a history of fitness issues, having missed three of the five Tests against India last year with a side strain.
In contrast, England received positive news as scans on Mark Wood found no damage to his left hamstring. Wood had reported stiffness during England's warm-up match against the Lions at Lilac Hill, but the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed he was cleared to continue training as planned. His teammate Brydon Carse expressed relief, praising Wood's resilience in overcoming past setbacks.
Wood's fitness is a major boost for England, who rely on his express pace as a key weapon in the Ashes. The tourists have carefully managed both Wood and Jofra Archer through injury lay-offs. Meanwhile, the Lions will face a Cricket Australia XI on Friday without Rehan Ahmed, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the tour with a right lower leg strain and has returned home.
