Hazlewood ruled out of 1st Ashes Test; Neser called up as cover

Australia's Ashes buildup has taken another hit with Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the first Test in Perth, compounding the absence of regular captain Pat Cummins. What was initially assessed as a minor concern earlier this week has now escalated, with repeat scans confirming a hamstring strain.

Hazlewood's first round of imaging on Wednesday had shown no muscle damage, but follow-up tests on Friday revealed the strain. Cricket Australia noted that early scans can sometimes underestimate low-grade injuries, and the pacer will not travel to Perth.

In his absence, Michael Neser has been added to the squad for the series opener. The Queensland seamer comes in as cover not just for Hazlewood but also for Sean Abbott, who also picked up a hamstring strain in the same Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Victoria.

Neser, who debuted in Adelaide during the 2021 Ashes and has two Tests to his name, now slots in as Australia look to patch up a fast-bowling unit suddenly stretched thin ahead of the series opener.

Australia are worryingly short on fast-bowling options, with Sean Abbott, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, and Spencer Johnson, besides Cummins and Hazlewood, all sidelined at the moment. This is set to open the door for a debut for Brendan Doggett, the 31-year-old who has impressed this season with 13 Sheffield Shield wickets at 14.69 since returning from his own minor hamstring setback.

Meanwhile, Cummins continued his rehabilitation at the SCG on the sidelines of the said Shield fixture, working towards full fitness in a bid to be available for the second Ashes Test, starting at the Gabba on December 4.