AUS vs ENG: Josh Hazlewood’s Ashes return in jeopardy due to another injury

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood's hopes of participating in the ongoing Ashes Series 2025 were dashed when he suddenly suffered from Achilles' soreness while recovering from a hamstring injury. He was scheduled to join the Test squad in Brisbane to continue his rehabilitation, but that plan has now been put on hold.

Hazlewood had only just started bowling off a short run-up in Sydney last week after being ruled out of the opening Test due to the hamstring issue he picked up while playing against Victoria in the Sheffield Shield Match. He featured last time in an international match against India in a 5-match T20I series last November.

"Josh Hazlewood reported achilles soreness this week during his rehabilitation from a recent hamstring injury," a Cricket Australia statement said.

"It is a low-grade issue, and he is expected to recommence running and bowling next week," the statement added.

Hazlewood was already expected to be ruled out of the Adelaide Test, and now speculation has begun that he might be ruled out of the entire series. This is not the first time he has suffered from secondary injury while recovering from a major injury, particularly around his calf and Achilles. 

Josh Hazlewood suffered a hamstring strain while playing for New South Wales against Victoria. There were concerns about a tendon issue because the damage was not readily visible on the first MRI. Head coach Andrew McDonald was still optimistic that he would play later in the Ashes, but the window for a comeback is closing since his running and bowling workload has been postponed because of the Achilles injury. 

Australia's pace bowling attack appears to be injured in the current series. Besides Hazlewood, captain Pat Cummins is also out of the first two matches due to injury. Reports suggest Cummins may be included in the playing XI for the Adelaide Test. Sean Abbott is also currently out of the squad due to a hamstring injury. 

In the ongoing Ashes 2025/26, Australia is playing with only two premium pacers, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland. In the Perth test, Brendon Dodgett made his test debut as 3rd fast bowler. While Michael Neser has been included in the playing XI in the Gabba Test. Despite this problem, Australia won the first test match by 8 wickets, and they are also in a commanding position in the second test.