3 Bowlers Who Can Replace Josh Hazlewood in 1st Ashes Test

Australia have been struck with another significant blow in the lead-up to the first Ashes Test, with pace bowler Josh Hazlewood ruled out, just days after captain Pat Cummins was also sidelined. Hazlewood initially felt discomfort in his hamstring while playing for New South Wales earlier in the week. Although Cricket Australia (CA) moved quickly to clear him after the first signs of trouble, further medical checks have revealed a muscle strain, forcing selectors to take a more cautious approach. It is a huge blow for Australia as he is one of the best Test bowlers in the world currently.

Josh Hazlewood Ruled Out of Ashes Opener

Because of the injury, Hazlewood has now been officially withdrawn from the squad for the series opener at Optus Stadium, one of the renowned cricket stadiums in Australia. Josh Hazlewood injury adds to Australia’s growing list of concerns as they prepare for one of the most high-pressure matches in world cricket. The team will now need to reshuffle their bowling attack as Pat Cummins and Sean Abbott are also sidelined due to injury concerns.

Josh Hazlewood Ashes absence has led to the inclusion of Queensland pacer Michael Neser into Australia’s squad. His inclusion comes at a challenging time for the side. Cricket Australia (CA) revealed the extent of Hazlewood’s injury after results from additional scans came through.

At the moment, Mitchell Starc is the lone fully fit frontline quick available for Australia, with Scott Boland next in line to support him. With Hazlewood joining the injury list, the team may be tempted to strengthen their pace attack by playing both fast-bowling all-rounders, Cameron Green and Beau Webster.

Scott Boland was initially set to fill in for Cummins, and now 31-year-old South Australian pacer Brendan Doggett could be in line for a surprise Test debut. Doggett and Sean Abbott had been named as reserve bowlers earlier this month, but with Abbott also ruled out due to a hamstring injury, Doggett has a chance to make his debut.

Top 3 Josh Hazlewood Replacements for Ashes Opener

Australia's bowling attack has taken a hit ahead of the Ashes opener with Josh Hazlewood ruled out due to a hamstring injury. With the team needing to fill the gap left by their experienced pacer, several candidates are now in the mix to step up and strengthen the squad for the series opener.

• Brendan Doggett – The 31-year-old South Australian seamer could be the surprise inclusion for his Test debut. He is known for his height and ability to generate bounce. Doggett has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket and has previously been named as a reserve in the Australian squad. With Sean Abbott now ruled out due to injury, Doggett’s chances of stepping into the Ashes XI have increased significantly.

• Michael Neser – The experienced Queensland pacer has been drafted into the squad following Hazlewood’s withdrawal. Neser brings a solid record in both red-ball cricket and limited-overs formats, with the ability to swing the new ball. His prior international experience makes him a reliable option to strengthen Australia’s pace attack in the absence of their frontline quick.

• Will Sutherland – A promising young all-rounder, Sutherland can contribute with both the ball and the bat. His ability to bowl at a decent pace while offering depth in the batting order gives the team more flexibility. He is relatively inexperienced at the international level, but Sutherland’s domestic performances suggest he could be a valuable asset. His bowling stats are quite impressive, and he is currently playing the Sheffield Shield tournament.