Australian cricket fans can breathe a sigh of relief as veteran pace bowler Josh Hazlewood has been declared fit to join the squad for the first Ashes Test against England, despite a recent injury scare. However, the team has suffered a setback with the exclusion of fellow fast bowler Sean Abbott due to a hamstring injury. Both players sustained their injuries during a Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Victoria earlier this week. Scans revealed that Hazlewood, 34, did not suffer a muscle strain, while Abbott, 33, has been diagnosed with a ‘moderate grade’ injury. The absence of Abbott, who is yet to make his Test debut, is unlikely to significantly impact the team’s strategy for the Perth Test, as Hazlewood is expected to partner Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland as the primary seamers. Meanwhile, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins remains sidelined for the opening Test as he recovers from a back injury, with Steve Smith stepping in as interim captain. Cummins is anticipated to return for the second Test in Brisbane. Hazlewood, who had not played a first-class match in over a year prior to this week, experienced tightness in his hamstring during the match against Victoria but opted for precautionary measures. Both he and Abbott refrained from batting in New South Wales’ second innings, which ended in a 300-run defeat. Cummins emphasized the importance of caution, stating, ‘We’re a week away from the Test series – always err on the side of caution.’ He also expressed relief at seeing Hazlewood in good spirits after the injury scare. Abbott, a seasoned white-ball cricketer with 57 caps, will be missed, but uncapped seamer Brendan Doggett has been included in the squad as backup. The Ashes series, set to begin on November 21, promises high stakes as Australia aims to defend its title against a formidable English side.