Australian cricket fans can breathe a sigh of relief after fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was cleared of a serious hamstring injury, putting him on track for the first Ashes Test beginning next Friday in Perth.
SCG Injury Scare Rattles Australian Camp
The tension was palpable at the SCG during NSW's Sheffield Shield clash against Victoria when both Hazlewood and fellow Test squad member Sean Abbott left the field for scans after experiencing tightness while bowling. The day proved disastrous for NSW, who suffered a 300-run loss to their rivals.
While Abbott received concerning news with a "moderate-grade" injury that significantly impacts his debut chances this summer, the diagnosis for Hazlewood was far more positive. The experienced seamer will fly to Perth and continue training as normal, providing crucial stability to Australia's bowling attack.
Captain's Relief as Bowling Crisis Averted
Stand-in captain Steve Smith revealed his immediate concern when Hazlewood reported tightness at the end of his fourth over on Wednesday. "I was like: 'Get off the field, disappear, you're done, go and figure it out'," Smith admitted. "Then it was what do we do with Starc? Do we just put him on ice completely?"
Smith's worries extended beyond Hazlewood, acknowledging the delicate balance between state commitments and national team preparations. "It's hard when you're playing in a game and you want to try and do well for your state as well. Then you've got an eye on, obviously next week," he explained.
The potential loss of Hazlewood would have been particularly damaging for Australia, who haven't played without two of their 'Big Three' fast bowlers since December 2022. With regular captain Pat Cummins already ruled out of the series opener with a back injury, another bowling setback could have proven catastrophic.
Backup Plans and Recovery Timelines
Should Hazlewood suffer any late setbacks, South Australian bowler Brendan Doggett appears next in line for a Test debut. Doggett has impressed selectors with two five-wicket hauls since returning from his own hamstring injury, establishing himself as one of the form bowlers in the country.
Pat Cummins, speaking at a Cricket Australia sponsorship event, confirmed Doggett's strong claims. "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."
Meanwhile, Cummins provided an encouraging update on his own recovery, revealing he had bowled at 90 per cent intensity in the SCG nets on Tuesday. While the Gabba Test on December 4 remains a potential return date, the third Test in Adelaide on December 17 might represent a more realistic target.
"(The Gabba) is what we're building towards," Cummins stated. "Hopefully by Perth I'm up there near 100 per cent, 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 concerns have also highlighted the importance of all-rounder Cameron Green's fitness. Green sent down eight overs in Perth at good pace, marking his most significant bowling output since back surgery last summer. His recovery provides additional bowling options for selectors as they finalise their Ashes strategy.
