Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out for the rest of the Ashes series.
With captain Pat Cummins already missing from the Aussie line-up during the opening Ashes Tests, a hamstring injury for Hazlewood leading into the first Test was a massive blow to the hosts.
The situation has deteriorated further with Aussie coach Andrew McDonald on Tuesday confirming to Code Sports Hazlewood will miss the rest of the series.
“(He had) a couple of setbacks we didn’t see coming,” McDonald said.
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“We thought he’d play a huge part in the series, but really feel for him that he won’t get that opportunity.”
He confirmed Hazlewood has been managing a related Achilles issue.
With Nathan Lyon a shock omission from the Aussie XI for the pink ball Test, it was a very different bowling attack that combined to take 20 wickets in Brisbane.
Mitchell Starc was the only member of Australian cricket’s famed four-pronged bowling cartel that featured in Brisbane alongside Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser.
The quartet of Starc (418 wickets), Lyon (562 wickets), Cummins (309) and Hazlewood (295) is one of the most reliable attacks Australia has ever assembled.
A statement released by Cricket Australia on the eve of the second Test suggested Hazlewood was going to struggle to prove his fitness before the series concludes at the SCG in January.
“Josh Hazlewood reported Achilles soreness this week during his rehabilitation from recent hamstring injury,” a Cricket Australia statement said.
“It is a low-grade issue and he is expected to recommence running and bowling next week.”
Lyon is expected to be recalled for the third Test in Adelaide, but the 140-Test veteran didn’t hide his displeasure when discussing his dumping with Channel 7.
“Short,” he said when asked about his conversation with chairman of selectors George Bailey.
“No, yeah, absolutely filthy, but yeah, can’t do anything about it so hope I can play my role in making sure I get the guys ready and do whatever I can to make sure that we get the right result here.
“I’m not the first player to miss a Test match and I won’t be the last.
“But yeah, obviously pretty gutted because I know the role that I can play within Australian cricket and especially a venue like this.
“Extremely disappointed but I’ll do whatever I have to do to make sure these guys are up.”
