Australia have a mixed injury bulletin in front of them for the opening Test of The Ashes 2025-26 against England: in the first place, the veteran seamer Josh Hazlewood has not even a minor case of a hamstring strain and he will be available for selection, while the other fast bowler Sean Abbott is suffering from a moderate-grade hamstring injury and consequently will not be able to participate in the first Test.
Hazlewood during the ongoing game of Sheffield Shield for New South Wales against Victoria at the SCG had to leave the ground as he was feeling tightness in his right hamstring.
However, after conducting the scans it was revealed that it was not a muscle strain and confirmed that he would be joining the Australian team in Perth as per the schedule. Abbott too had to leave the ground but discomfort was the reason; however, the scans confirmed a moderate-grade hamstring strain and he is not taking part in the first Test as a recovery plan is being made for him.
With captain Pat Cummins already out with a back injury, the Australian pace department is under pressure. The availability of Hazlewood is indeed a big relief and on the other hand, the absence of Abbott means that the backup will be tested, especially at the beginning of the series.
In brief, although Australia’s pace attack has got through without a major blow, the injury list is still there. Hazlewood is available, Abbott is not, and now it is the management of the team that has to come up with a plan for the Perth opener which commences on 21 November.
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Schedule for The Ashes 2025–26
| Test | Dates | Venue |
| 1st Test | 21 Nov – 25 Nov 2025 | Perth Stadium, Perth |
| 2nd Test | 4 Dec – 8 Dec 2025 | The Gabba, Brisbane (Day/Night) |
| 3rd Test | 17 Dec – 21 Dec 2025 | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide |
| 4th Test | 26 Dec – 30 Dec 2025 | Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne |
| 5th Test | 4 Jan – 8 Jan 2026 | Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Sydney |
Written By:- Manjunath S