Hazlewood Suffers Achilles Soreness During Hamstring Rehab, Ashes Return in Doubt

Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has suffered another setback in his bid to return during the ongoing Ashes series, reporting Achilles soreness while rehabilitating from a recent hamstring injury.

Hazlewood had been scheduled to join the Test squad in Brisbane this week to continue building his bowling workloads, but the trip has now been postponed. The paceman had only just resumed light bowling in Sydney after being ruled out of the opening Test due to the hamstring strain he picked up playing for New South Wales against Victoria last month.

Cricket Australia confirmed the latest issue in a statement:
“Josh Hazlewood reported Achilles soreness this week during his rehabilitation from recent hamstring injury. It is a low-grade issue and he is expected to recommence running and bowling next week.”

While Hazlewood was never expected to be available for the day-night Test in Adelaide, the fresh concern means he now faces a race against time to be fit for the Melbourne or Sydney fixtures.

A Pattern of Post-Injury Setbacks

The development continues a worrying trend for Hazlewood, who has battled a series of injuries in recent years — often suffering secondary issues shortly after returning from major setbacks.

In 2022–23, Hazlewood missed three home Tests after a side strain, only to develop Achilles soreness when he returned in early January. The setback ruled him out of the India tour and left him underprepared for the World Test Championship final.

Last summer, he endured another side strain early in the Australia–India series. After rushing back for the Brisbane Test, he then injured his calf, forcing him to miss the remainder of the home summer, the Sri Lanka tour, and the Champions Trophy.

He eventually returned midway through the IPL and enjoyed a consistent run through the WTC final, Tests in the Caribbean, and white-ball series against South Africa, New Zealand and India — until the hamstring strain in his lone Sheffield Shield appearance before the Ashes.

Selection Pressure Mounts

Australia’s fast-bowling depth is being tested early in the series, with Sean Abbott also sidelined by a hamstring injury. Captain Pat Cummins is close to a return but will not be risked until the Adelaide Test.

While coach Andrew McDonald had remained optimistic that Hazlewood could feature later in the Ashes, the delay in increasing his running and bowling workloads due to Achilles irritation now significantly reduces the chances of seeing him return before the series concludes.