Australia’s preparations for the first Ashes Test in Perth have suffered a significant setback with the confirmation that Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out due to a hamstring strain. The veteran fast bowler, who has claimed 295 wickets in 76 Tests, had initially been cleared after scans following a hamstring issue during a New South Wales match on Wednesday. However, subsequent imaging revealed a muscle strain, forcing him to withdraw from the series opener. This adds to Australia’s bowling woes, as captain Pat Cummins is already sidelined with a back injury. The absence of two key bowlers leaves Mitchell Starc as the sole member of Australia’s famed pace trio, with Scott Boland stepping in and Brendan Doggett poised for a Test debut. Michael Neser, 35, has been called up as cover, marking his potential return to Test cricket after a hiatus since 2022. Meanwhile, England received a boost with Mark Wood cleared of his hamstring issue. Hazlewood’s injury history is concerning, having missed most of the last Ashes in Australia due to a side injury. While Cummins is expected to return for the second Test in Brisbane, Hazlewood’s availability beyond Perth remains uncertain. Australia’s statement emphasized that initial scans can sometimes underestimate low-grade muscle injuries, leading to the late confirmation of Hazlewood’s strain. With backup seamer Sean Abbott also injured and long-term absentees Spencer Johnson and Lance Morris unavailable, Australia’s bowling depth is severely tested. Jhye Richardson, recovering from shoulder surgery, remains a potential option later in the series as he continues his comeback in domestic cricket.