Abbott ruled out of first Ashes Test as Hazlewood cleared to join squad in Perth

Josh Hazlewood has indicated his hamstring scare is not serious and he will join the squad as planned after Australia suffered a double injury concern just nine days out from the first Ashes Test.

It is not such good news for fellow quick Sean Abbott, who along with Hazlewood left NSW’s Sheffield Shield game with Victoria on Wednesday for a hamstring scan after bowling in the first session.

Abbott will not be available for selection for the first Test in Perth after scans confirmed a moderate grade hamstring tear, Cricket Australia said in a statement.

Hazlewood, on the other hand, has been cleared of a muscle strain and will continue to train as planned before joining the Ashes squad.

Any soreness for Hazlewood would still be of significant concern, given Cummins will miss the series opener as he returns from his own back injury.

Scott Boland will replace Cummins in the XI, but Australia have not entered a Test without two of their big-three fast bowlers since December 2022.

Hazlewood has battled a number of injuries through that time, including missing three Tests last summer with side and calf strains.

If he was to miss, Brendan Doggett would likely debut.

Doggett has taken two five-wicket hauls since returning from a hamstring injury for South Australia, and is one of the form bowlers in the country.

Pat Cummins was also in attendance at the SCG on Wednesday and said Doggett looked good.

“He’s been bowling really well the last couple of games from what I’ve seen,” Cummins said.

“He’s really well placed to be vying for a spot in that first Test. It’s always nice to have a squad full of people in form, and he’s certainly one of those guys.”

Meanwhile, Cummins said he was feeling well after bowling at 90% on Tuesday in the SCG nets and is a chance of playing in the second Test at the Gabba on 4 December.

Otherwise the third Test in Adelaide starting on 17 December looks more likely, with Cummins having also previously conceded back-to-back Tests could be difficult.

“[The Gabba] is what we’re building towards,” Cummins said. “Hopefully by Perth I’m up there near 100%, and then see where we’re at.

“It’s still pretty aggressive, going from nothing to trying to get ready for a Test match in four weeks. But we’re going to give it a good shot.”

The injury scares could also place more importance on Cameron Green’s fitness for the first Test, and whether Beau Webster remains in the side as a second allrounder.

Green sent down eight overs in the first innings in Perth on Tuesday at good pace, in what was his biggest bowling output in a match since before his back surgery last summer.

Webster also took eight wickets for the match in Tasmania’s Sheffield Shield loss to South Australia this week, but is fighting to keep his spot in the Test side as selectors consider going with specialist opener Jake Weatherald.

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