Hazlewood Set to Miss Brisbane Test as Cummins Pushes for Return

Josh Hazlewood is expected to miss the second Ashes Test in Brisbane as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury, but Australia remain confident the fast bowler will feature later in the series. Meanwhile, captain Pat Cummins is edging closer to a return and could be available as early as next week at the Gabba.

Hazlewood was ruled out of the Perth Test after suffering the injury during a Sheffield Shield match. Although initial scans did not show significant damage, the 33-year-old will join the squad in Brisbane to continue his rehabilitation. Coach Andrew McDonald said clearer timelines will emerge once Hazlewood progresses further in his recovery.

“He’s working through the first week of his rehab,” McDonald said. “We expect him to take some part in the series. There’s still early rehab to get through before we can work out where he plugs in.”

Cummins, who missed the opening Test, had trained strongly in the lead-up but saw his bowling schedule slightly disrupted by the two-day finish in Perth. He had planned to bowl on what would have been the fourth day but will now resume a day later after returning home to Sydney.

Despite the shift, signs remain positive for the Australian captain, with McDonald describing him as being near the end of his rehabilitation. A late decision is likely on whether he will play the day-night Test in Brisbane. Should he return, the break before the third Test in Adelaide—up to eight days—could help him manage back-to-back matches.

“It looked like a player nearing the completion of his rehabilitation,” McDonald said. “The intensity and ball speed were there. Now it’s just about building soft-tissue resilience and ensuring we don’t push him too quickly.”

In the absence of Hazlewood and Cummins, Mitchell Starc delivered one of the finest performances of his Test career, taking a 10-wicket haul, including a career-best 7 for 58 in the first innings. Scott Boland rebounded superbly after an expensive opening day to help turn the match in the second innings, while debutant Brendan Doggett impressed with five wickets across the Test.

McDonald admitted responsibility for Boland’s tough first day, explaining that a tactical directive to bowl very full had backfired before the seamer reverted to his natural length.

Australia’s aggressive run chase in the second innings also showcased debutant Jake Weatherald, who partnered Travis Head to steady the innings after a first-innings duck.

“They looked right at home,” McDonald said. “Doggett executed the bouncer plan brilliantly, and Jake’s intent with the bat was exactly what we want from our batting unit.”

Australia still have the option of adding a 15th player to the Brisbane squad, having previously called up only Michael Neser as cover when Hazlewood and Sean Abbott were ruled out of the first Test.