Josh Hazlewood Injury Updates: Big blow for Australia as star pacer suffers another setback, sustains fresh injury during rehab

Australia star pacer Josh Hazlewood has suffered another blow while on his road to recovery from the hamstring injury that he sustained during a Sheffield Shield match before The Ashes series. He has now reported achilles soreness during the early stages of his recovery. Though he was expected to join the Australian team in Brisbane, that plan has now been scrapped.

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Hazlewood had returned to bowling last week in Sydney alongside Pat Cummins, however the duo weren't able to regain full fitness by the time of the second Ashes Test and thus, were not included in Australia's playing XI. With Hazlewood now experiencing achilles soreness, he is expected to resume bowling in the nets from next week.

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"Josh Hazlewood reported achilles soreness this week during his rehabilitation from recent hamstring injury. It is a low-grade issue and he is expected to recommence running and bowling next week," a Cricket Australia statement said.

Hazlewood to feature in the last 2 Tests?

Though Hazlewood was not expected to return for the Adelaide Test anyway, his comeback may now even get stretched to the Melbourne or Sydney Test. This only adds to Australia's worries as their bowling attack has signficantly weakened with Cummins also not being able to participate in the first two Ashes Tests. Additionally, Sean Abbott has also been sidelined due to a hamstring injury.

The Baggy Greens' bowling attack has been carried single-handedly by Mitchell Starc in the first two Ashes Tests so far. The left-arm seamer has already picked up a total of 16 wickets from just three innings and is in red-hot form. But, he hasn't gotten a lot of support from the other end with Brendan Doggett and Scott Boland clinching six and five wickets respectively.

Australia go for all-pace attack in 2nd Test

Australia decided to make a bold move for the pink-ball Test in Brisbane and decided to drop star spinner Nathan Lyon for the inexperienced Michael Neser. They have opted for an all-pace attack and it remains to be seen if this strategy will turn out to be fruitful for them or not.

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