Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood’s hopes of playing some part in the 2025-26 Ashes have been dealt a major blow. The pacer is suffering from ‘Achilles soreness’, picked up during his rehabilitation and recovery from a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the first two Tests of the series.
Cricket Australia (CA) in a statement suggested that the issue wasn’t a major one and Hazlewood could resume bowling ‘next week’. He was already racing against time to be fit for the third Test in Adelaide, which begins on December 17, but now he’s a major doubt for the fourth (Melbourne, December 26-30) and fifth (Sydney, January 4-8) games, too.
“Josh Hazlewood reported Achilles soreness this week during his rehabilitation from 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.”
Hazelwood picked up the hamstring injury while playing for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield. He returned to preliminary bowling in the nets before the second Test began in Brisbane and was supposed to join the Australian team at the Gabba.
Injury troubles have followed a familiar pattern with Hazelwood, with new setbacks emerging soon after major ones. Since 2022, side strains, calf and Achilles issues, and most recently hamstring troubles have stalled his progress, forcing him to miss multiple home Tests, overseas tours, and key big games.
Australia’s bowling depth and Mitchell Starc’s excellent leadership have meant the team hasn’t missed him or Pat Cummins, also injured, much. The hosts won the first Test by eight wickets, with Starc taking ten.
In the ongoing second Test, they have dropped Nathan Lyon and played four seamers with Michael Neser, Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett joining Starc. Together, they restricted England to a par score of 334 in the first innings, with Starc adding six more to his soaring tally.
Cummins was close to returning in the second Test but was given more time to rest and recover and is almost certain to lead the team again in Adelaide.
