Australian Veteran Pacer Ruled Out of the Ashes 2025-26

Aussie pace stalwart has been officially ruled out of the rest of the 2025–26 Ashes. Josh Hazlewood injury is a major setback for Australia after the fast bowler failed to recover from a hamstring injury and then picked up an Achilles problem during his comeback efforts. The experienced quick had already missed the opening two Tests while trying to regain fitness, but the latest update confirmed he won’t feature again this series.

Instead, Hazlewood will return to rehab and shift his attention toward getting ready for next year’s T20 World Cup. His absence leaves Australia without one of the best bowlers in the world, and puts added responsibility on the likes of Scott Boland and Michael Neser as the series continues.

Why is Josh Hazlewood Not Playing Ashes?

Josh Hazlewood Ashes absence will be a major blow to the Aussies after it was confirmed that he will take no further part in the Ashes due to ongoing hamstring and Achilles problems. The veteran quick has battled a string of injuries in recent seasons and was already watching from the sidelines when Australia moved 2–0 up following their win at the Gabba.

Hazlewood initially strained his right hamstring while playing for New South Wales in November and had been hopeful of featuring at some stage in the series. However, a new Achilles setback last week ruled out his chances of return and prevented him from joining the squad for the Brisbane day-night Test.

On Tuesday, head coach Andrew McDonald announced that Josh Hazlewood’s focus would now shift toward preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup, confirming he would play no part in the remaining Ashes matches starting in Adelaide next Wednesday. The 33-year-old’s recent workload has been heavily disrupted, side and calf issues allowed him to appear in only two of five Tests during last summer’s win over India, while similar injuries kept him out of the Sri Lanka tour that followed.

Counting this latest setback, he will have featured in just half of Australia’s last 20 Tests. Hazlewood also missed most of the 2021–22 home Ashes and the full 2023 tour of India. His absence now strengthens the case for Scott Boland to retain his place, though Michael Neser also supported the lineup by a five-wicket haul at the Gabba and is also a strong contender for the pace attack moving forward.

List of Injured Players in Ashes 2025-26

The Ashes 2025-26 is being played in the absence of some standout players due to their injury concerns, but even in their absence, one of the greatest rivalry in cricket is providing seamless entertainment to the fans.

• Usman Khawaja (Australia) — The veteran opener was forced out of the second Test after suffering severe back spasms during training on the eve of the match. In his absence, Travis Head has been designated with the role of an opener.

• Pat Cummins (Australia) — The Australian captain missed the first two Tests of the Ashes following the lower-back stress injury that the medical staff had been managing since Australia’s busy tour schedule earlier in the year. Steve Smith has been appointed as the stand-in skipper, and he is going about his business decently as Australia are 2-0 ahead in the Ashes.

• Josh Hazlewood (Australia) — Hazlewood’s campaign came to an abrupt end after he suffered a combination of hamstring tightness and an Achilles tendon flare-up during the second Test. The absence of Josh Hazlewood could be a major blow for the Aussies, but the likes of Scott Boland and Michael Neser have adapted to their role in his absence.

• Sean Abbott (Australia) — Abbott was ruled out of the first Test after picking up a moderate-grade hamstring strain during a domestic Sheffield Shield fixture just days before the squad assembled. Abbott was considered a valuable backup option due to his all-around ability.

• Mark Wood (England) — England’s pace spearhead was sidelined for the rest of the Ashes following a recurrence of a long-standing left-knee issue that flared up during or shortly after the opening Test.