Josh Hazlewood Out of Ashes 2025 First Test: Australia’s Pace Crisis Deepens with Cummins Sidelined
Australia’s bowling attack has suffered a double blow ahead of the 2025-26 Ashes opener, with Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the first Test in Perth due to a confirmed hamstring strain, joining captain Pat Cummins on the sidelines. The news, announced by Cricket Australia on November 15, 2025, leaves Mitchell Starc as the sole survivor of Australia’s fearsome “big three” pacers, forcing selectors to turn to uncapped Brendan Doggett for a likely debut. Meanwhile, England received a timely boost: Mark Wood’s hamstring stiffness from the warm-up game has cleared scans, confirming his availability for the November 21 start at Optus Stadium. As the series looms, Australia’s depleted spearhead exposes vulnerabilities, while England’s “Bazball” machine hums with options.
Key Updates for Ashes 2025-26 First Test
- Hazlewood Injury: Hamstring strain (low-grade); out of Perth Test (November 21-25)
- Cummins Status: Back stress fracture; misses opener, expected Brisbane (December 4-8)
- Australia Pace Options: Starc + Boland; Doggett debut likely; Neser added as cover
- Abbott Out: Hamstring; replaced by Neser
- England Boost: Wood fit; Stokes bowls full tilt in warm-up (4-61)
- Squad Impact: Steve Smith captains; Weatherald opener contender
Hazlewood’s Hamstring Blow: From Clearance to Confirmation
Josh Hazlewood’s nightmare unfolded during New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield clash against Victoria at the SCG on November 12, 2025. The 34-year-old, Australia’s second-highest Test wicket-taker (295 scalps in 76 matches), reported right hamstring tightness after 10 overs (1-35), exiting mid-session.
Initial scans November 13: Clear of strain—green light for Perth. Follow-up November 15: Low-grade tear confirmed. CA statement: “Early imaging can underestimate low-grade muscle injuries. Hazlewood will not travel to Perth and is ruled out of the first Test.”
History haunts: Hazlewood’s 2021-22 Ashes (1 Test, side strain); 2023 home series (1 Test, Achilles). No timeline beyond Perth—Brisbane doubt.
Coach Andrew McDonald: “Tight timeline—condensing months into weeks. Common injury; clear path, but cautious.”
Cummins’ Captaincy Conundrum: Back Stress Fractures Persist
Pat Cummins’ lumbar bone stress—diagnosed September 2025 post-West Indies tour—escalated October 26: Ruled out of Perth. The 32-year-old hasn’t bowled since July (3-0 WI whitewash).
October 13 update: “Less likely than likely” for opener—running resumed, bowling next week. McDonald: “Tight—month nets needed. First steps: Shot at Perth? No.”
Smith captains (sixth time since 2021; 5-1 record). Cummins travels—series leader off-field.
Cummins: “Devastating if miss start—everything to be right. Common; know how to handle.”
Brisbane hope: “Injection when fit—exciting.”
Australia’s Pace Puzzle: Starc Solo, Doggett Debut Looms
“Big three” halved: Starc (354 wickets, 89 Tests) lone ranger. Boland (37 wickets @19.59) partners; Doggett (13 Shield wickets @17.9, two 5-fors) eyes cap.
Replacements:
- Sean Abbott: Moderate hamstring—out (October 27).
- Michael Neser: Added November 15 (2 Tests, 2022; 35yo). In Perth post-Queensland Shield.
- Jhye Richardson: Shoulder surgery recovery; CA XI vs Lions November 20-22.
- Lance Morris/Spencer Johnson: Long-term out.
Squad (November 5 announcement): Smith (c), Abbott (out), Boland, Carey (wk), Doggett, Green, Hazlewood (out), Head, Inglis (wk), Khawaja, Labuschagne, Lyon, Starc, Weatherald, Webster.
Bailey: “Balance good—14 play Shield Round 3. Gather info closer to toss.”
McDonald: “Boland replacement? Not terrible—excited for Cummins return.”
Perth pitch: Pace-friendly (average first-innings 280); swing/seam expected.
England’s Relief: Wood Cleared, Stokes Unleashed
Contrast: Mark Wood’s Lilac Hill scare (November 13 warm-up vs Lions) eased. Stiffness post-8 overs (0-29); scans November 14 clear.
ECB: “Precautionary—no concerns. Expected to bowl Saturday (November 15).”
Wood: First competitive since February Champions Trophy knee surgery (missed India series). Durham: 119 Test wickets @28.16.
Stokes: 4-61 in warm-up (first since July shoulder). “Beast mode—sensible rests ahead.”
England squad (September 23): Stokes (c), Brook (vc), Archer, Atkinson, Bashir, Bethell, Carse, Crawley, Duckett, Jacks, Pope, Potts, Root, Smith (wk), Tongue, Wood.
Warm-up: England XI 6/382d (Pope 112, Root 65); Lions 2/120 (day 2 November 14).
Borthwick: “Wood fit—huge. Pace battery hostile since ’70.”
Series Snapshot: Perth Opener Looms
Ashes 2025-26: Five Tests, November 21-January 8. Australia retainers (2023 2-2 draw).
Schedule:
| Test | Venue | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Optus Stadium, Perth | Nov 21-25 |
| 2 | Gabba, Brisbane (D/N) | Dec 4-8 |
| 3 | Adelaide Oval | Dec 17-21 |
| 4 | MCG, Melbourne | Dec 26-30 |
| 5 | SCG, Sydney | Jan 4-8 |
Australia: Smith captains; Cummins Brisbane hope. Weatherald opener vs Khawaja (Konstas snubbed).
England: 9-win streak; Bazball vs depleted Aussies?
Anderson: “Aussies favorites despite ‘weak’ team—huge chance.”
Bailey: “Squad connects in Perth—domestic busy.”
Verdict: Australia’s Spearhead Shattered, England’s Arrow Sharp
Hazlewood out, Cummins sidelined—Australia’s pace trio halved before a ball bowled. Starc-Boland-Doggett? Solid, but untested firepower. Wood’s all-clear? England’s “poison” intact.
Perth: Swing/seam paradise. Smith leads depleted hosts; Stokes’ beasts hunt.
November 21: Urn on line—series-defining start.
