Ashes Campaign Rocked by Dual Injury Scare
Australia's preparations for the upcoming Ashes series have been thrown into chaos after pace bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott both limped from the SCG with suspected hamstring injuries. The alarming incident occurred during New South Wales' Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria on Wednesday, just over a week before the first Test is set to begin.
Bowling Depth Tested on the Eve of the Series
The injuries represent a significant scare for the Australian camp, which is already confirmed to be without captain and pace spearhead Pat Cummins. Test stalwart Hazlewood and reserve seamer Abbott both left the field and did not return after the lunch break, with each having bowled nine overs in the match.
While the exact nature of the injuries is still being determined by medical staff, the immediate concern is for Hazlewood. The 34-year-old quick is now in serious doubt for the first Test in Perth, which starts next Friday. This latest setback continues a frustrating pattern for Hazlewood, who has been consistently hampered by injuries over the past four years, raising questions about his long-term future.
Boland's Call-Up and a Potential Shock Debut
Scott Boland was already a certainty to replace the absent Pat Cummins in the starting XI. However, Hazlewood's potential withdrawal could now open the door for a shock Test debut for Brendan Doggett.
The situation also highlights a worrying lack of pace-bowling depth beyond Australia's established quartet of Cummins, Hazlewood, Boland, and Mitchell Starc. While Abbott was unlikely to feature in the first Test even with Hazlewood injured, his loss is still a considerable blow to the team's reserves.
Hazlewood had been carefully managed during the recent ODI and T20 series against India and was reportedly in good touch, making this timing particularly unfortunate for the Australian team management.
