Australia’s preparations for the highly-anticipated opening Ashes Test in Perth were boosted when pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood was cleared of a hamstring injury, but fellow quick Sean Abbott was ruled out with a moderate strain. The developments followed both the bowlers leaving the field while NSW’s Sheffield Shield game against Victoria at the SCG on Wednesday afternoon.
Hazlewood had felt tightness in his right hamstring during day three, and was quickly told by Steve Smith to leave the field and not take any risks with the Ashes series around the corner. The good news for Australia was that precautionary scans showed no muscle strain, and Hazlewood is expected to continue training as scheduled leading up to the first Test.
“He literally bowled his last ball and I asked him how he was feeling,” Smith said after the match. “He told me his hamstring felt tight, and I said, ‘Get off the field right now.’ Thankfully, it was just tight, nothing serious.”
Hazlewood’s fitness was a boost for the selectors and fans, but not for Sean Abbott, who has been diagnosed with a moderate-grade strain of his left hamstring. Cricket Australia said Abbott would not play in the first Test at Perth and his recovery programme would be assessed over the next few weeks. Abbott had been the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 for 18 before he left the field.
Australia captain Pat Cummins, who is currently nursing a back injury, said the team was keeping an eye on developments. “There’s a little bit going on there for an hour or so,” Cummins said. “Josh was over the moon after the scans, it was brilliant. It is always better to be safe a week out from a big Test.”
Cummins also empathised with Abbott and said that the fast bowler had been working hard in an attempt to break into the national side. “It’s disappointing for Sean, who has done a lot of hard work to get back in the squad,” Smith said. “Injuries are something we all deal with in this game, but just at a bad time.”
Michael Neser is set to be the frontrunner for a call-up if a replacement is needed, though Brendan Doggett, who impressed with 5 for 66 against Tasmania recently, is also in contention.
Cummins, meanwhile, is still doing well in himself; he is bowling at about 90 per cent now in the nets and hoping to be ready for the Brisbane Test.
With the start of the Ashes series just days away Australia’s fast men are strong but a little thin. While Hazlewood’s fitness has come as a huge relief, the absence of Abbott is likely to stretch the depth of a team gearing up for England in Perth.
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