Injury scare for Australia! After Pat Cummins, two star pacers limp off the field in preparatory game for Ashes: Report

New South Wales' Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott limped off the Sydney Cricket Ground with suspected hamstring injuries during Day 3 of Sheffield Shield encounter against Victoria.

The nature and extent of the injuries is yet to be revealed. The pace duo are being assessed by the medical staff in Sydney, more than a week ahead of the Ashes 2025-26 opener in Perth.

Australia are already missing the services of their captain and pace-bowling spearhead Pat Cummins. While Cummins has shown considerable signs of improvement, there is no surety whether he will be available for the second Test at The Gabba, Brisbane.

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It is also a possibility that Hazlewood and Abbott did not take the field after walking off as a precautionary measure. While Abbott was set to warm the bench, Hazlewood’s injury scare is a major concern for Australia. Even though Cummins’ absence is a setback, they have a capable and experienced campaigner in Scott Boland as his replacement. But, if Hazlewood were to miss out the Ashes opener, it will hand England a considerable advantage.

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How Hazlewood, Abbott performed on Day 3?

In the second innings, Hazlewood bowled nine overs, including two maidens, conceded 22 runs and got the wicket of wicketkeeper-batter Sam Harper. Abbott starred with a four-wicket haul from nine overs he bowled. On Day 3, he got the wickets of nightwatchman Todd Murphy, centurion of first innings Peter Handscomb and Oliver Peake.

Who will replace Hazlewood in playing XI if he gets ruled out of Perth Test?

If Hazlewood was unfit and Abbott was to miss out as well, Brendan Doggett may get the baggy green. Doggett has been in fine form as well. He claimed a five-wicket haul against Nathan McSweeney's South Australia. Despite his heroics, Tasmania won by three wickets. In the previous game, he claimed a six-wicket haul against Western Australia.

Australia's first Test squad -

Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.