Aussie Cricket Faces a Fast Bowling Crisis Before the Ashes Opener!
It's a tough blow for Australian cricket fans: Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the first Ashes Test in Perth due to a right hamstring injury, confirmed by a second set of scans. This adds to the growing list of injured players, including Sean Abbott and captain Pat Cummins, leaving the team scrambling for replacements. But here's where it gets interesting...
Brendan Doggett is now in prime position for a Test debut. Michael Neser has been called in as cover. Hazlewood and Abbott sustained their hamstring injuries during a Sheffield Shield match between NSW and Victoria. While Abbott was sidelined after the initial scans, Hazlewood initially seemed okay, with positive assessments from Cummins and NSW captain Steve Smith. However, the follow-up imaging revealed the extent of the injury. Cricket Australia noted that "Early imaging can occasionally underestimate low-grade muscle injuries."
This news is particularly disappointing for Australia, especially as England received more positive news about their star fast bowler, Mark Wood, who has been cleared of a left hamstring strain. Neither Hazlewood nor Abbott will travel to Perth with the Australian squad for the first match, though Cummins will be there.
Neser, who has played two Test matches, might get a chance, but Doggett is the frontrunner to play in the series opener on the bouncy Perth Stadium pitch. The other Test seamers in the squad are Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland, along with spinner Nathan Lyon.
Cameron Green's bowling could become even more crucial in his home Test, given he's recently increased his workload for Western Australia after back surgery last year.
Could this force a change in strategy? Hazlewood's injury might lead selectors to rethink the idea of playing both Green and allrounder Beau Webster in the same team, potentially opening the batting for Marnus Labuschagne. The possibility of the home team fielding two debutants in Perth has increased significantly, with uncapped opener Jake Weatherald also in the squad.
Doggett has truly stood out among the Sheffield Shield bowlers, thanks to his fast out-swingers. He's taken 46 wickets at an average of 21.47 in his last 11 matches. He played a key role in South Australia's title win last summer, coached by former Test quick Ryan Harris, taking 11 wickets in the final against Queensland.
Doggett shared his thoughts this week, saying, "It has been a bit different for me. I’ve not had this much attention around my bowling... He has been really good at keeping my attention on what I can control, playing for South Australia, and if that does come up, like I said, I feel like I’m ready, he thinks I’m ready, so that’s where the confidence is probably coming from."
What are your thoughts on these team changes? Do you think Doggett is the right choice? Share your opinions in the comments below!
2025-26 NRMA Insurance Men's Ashes Schedule
- First Test: November 21-25, Perth Stadium, 1:20pm AEDT
- Second Test: December 4-8, The Gabba, Brisbane (D/N), 3pm AEDT
- Third Test: December 17-21: Adelaide Oval, 10:30am AEDT
- Fourth Test: December 26-30: MCG, Melbourne, 10:30am AEDT
- Fifth Test: January 4-8: SCG, Sydney, 10:30am AEDT
Australia Squad (First Test only): Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
England Squad: Ben Stokes (c), Harry Brook (vc), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Mark Wood
