- Drama struck at NSW vs Victoria Sheffield Shield match
Two Australian stars – including veteran paceman Josh Hazlewood – are in doubt for the first Ashes Test due to injury.
Hazlewood and reserve quick Sean Abbott both left the field for injury assessment on Wednesday during NSW’s Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria at the SCG.
Daily Mail understands both players have hurt their hamstrings, with the pair currently being assessed.
With skipper Pat Cummins already ruled out of at least the first Test in Perth, the development couldn’t have come at a worse time for coach Andrew McDonald’s squad.
In December of 2024, a calf strain saw Hazlewood ruled out of the Boxing Day and New Year’s Tests against India.
This followed his returned from a side strain.
Two Australian stars – including veteran paceman Josh Hazlewood – are in doubt for the first Ashes Test due to injury
Josh Hazlewood and reserve quick Sean Abbott (pictured) both left the field for injury assessment on Wednesday during NSW’s Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria, with it is believed both players have hurt their hamstrings
With skipper Pat Cummins already ruled out of at least the first Test in Perth, the development couldn’t have come at a worse time for coach Andrew McDonald’s squad
The bombshell news could see South Australian Brendan Doggett handed a shock Test debut at Perth’s Optus Stadium.
Doggett, 31, would be just the third Indigenous men’s cricketer to ever play a Test for Australia if selected.
It also comes as England batting coach Marcus Trescothick warned Australia they will face a different Joe Root this Ashes.
The former England captain is yet to win a Test or score a century in 14 matches on Australian soil – but Trescothick believes it will be a different story this time.
Ominously, Root has averaged 58 since England adopted their attack-minded ‘Bazball’ approach under head coach Brendon McCullum.
‘The way he’s gone in the last couple of years will probably explain he’s comfortable with what he’s trying to do, how he’s playing his game, Trescothick said.
‘His game has gone to the next level and I will be very surprised if he doesn’t carry on in that same sort of vein with the style of play and the type of player he is.’
The first Test begins on November 21.
