Josh Hazlewood given the all-clear of injury however Abbott out of Ashes Test

Josh Hazlewood cricket action

Hazlewood's career includes 295 international wickets at an average of 24.21 across 76 Test matches

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Josh Hazlewood has been cleared to become part of the Aussie lineup for the initial Test against England after an injury scare, although compatriot the paceman will miss the match

Each encountered muscle problems during their match for their state team versus Victoria in the Sheffield Shield on Wednesday

Medical examinations revealed the 34-year-old Hazlewood avoided muscle damage. Abbott, 33, who hasn't played Tests, suffered a significant hamstring issue

Team captain Cummins is unavailable for the first Test, beginning on 21 November, meaning the absence of another experienced fast bowler like Hazlewood would have been a serious concern

Abbott would have been not expected to participate in Perth, as Hazlewood prepares to team up Starc and Boland as the primary pace attack

Cummins, currently healing from spinal concerns, appears to be on track to return during the next Test commencing December fourth

Top-order player Smith takes over leadership during the captain's recovery

Similar to most Australian cricketers, Hazlewood is involved in recent matches of domestic cricket in preparation for the historic rivalry

Prior to recently, he hadn't featured a first-class match representing NSW for over twelve months

He felt tightness in his leg muscle during the final stages of the opposition's batting recently and left the field taking preventive measures

Neither Hazlewood nor Abbott came out to bat during their team's second batting effort in a losing cause by 300 runs

"We're a week away from the Test series - always err on being cautious," commented Cummins

"They wanted to find out the nature of the problem prior to testing it and potentially making anything worse"

"He seldom shows him cheerful, therefore it was positive observing his positive demeanor"

"He knows his body really well. It seemed he felt slightly anxious (seeking to obtain medical assessment"

Abbott earned 57 caps with the national team in ODI and T20 cricket

The uncapped the pace bowler is the other seamer among the selections, providing cover for the primary fast bowlers

Amanda Johnson
Amanda Johnson

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