Josh Hazlewood’s return to Australian side after achilles trouble delays bowling progression
Cricket Australia is adamant Josh Hazlewood could still feature in the Ashes despite suffering another injury setback. Plus, another quick stakes a claim for a Test return.
Josh Hazlewood’s road back to the Australian side has been complicated by achilles trouble that has delayed his bowling progression.
But Pat Cummins’ return is imminent, with the skipper declaring he was “very close” to playing at the Gabba.
Hazlewood, ruled out of the start of the Ashes series with a hamstring injury, had been due to join teammates in Brisbane to continue his rehabilitation but that plan was put on the backburner because of the setback, confirmed by Cricket Australia on Friday.
The 34-year-old is however due to return to bowl next week, keeping alive the prospect that he will feature towards the back end of the series.
“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,” CA said.
In better news for Australia, Cummins is closing in on a return from his back troubles and is likely to play the third Ashes Test having been close to selection for Brisbane.
The skipper confirmed he was “very close, a day or two out” from playing at the Gabba.
But in an interview with Seven’s Mel McLaughlin, Cummins admitted his load would have been managed through the game had he played.
“We were umming and ahhing,” he said.
“Realistically I would have had some bowling management in the game and (it was) still high risk and all started to feel cute and we thought we would push it back and should be right for Adelaide.
“(I’ll) have a couple of bowls and as long as nothing goes wrong we should be all right.”
Echoing CA’s advice, Cummins said Hazlewood’s issue was “a minor hiccup and not too much of a setback”.
Usman Khawaja was also on the mend.
“He has had a couple of bats the last couple of days and he feels close,” Cummins said.
“A little bit of awareness (of his back) but not far away.”
REMEMBER ME? RICHARDSON STAKES ASHES CLAIMS
— Rishab Jain
Jhye Richardson gave Australian selectors reason to believe he can be a factor in the Ashes after finishing with four wickets on the opening day of Australia A’s clash with England Lions in Brisbane.
Richardson wreaked havoc through the England Lions batting-line up, bowling them out for 10-166 in the first innings at the Allan Border Field finishing with promising figures of 12-3-25-4.
It has been four years since the right-arm quick played his last Test which came against the English side, taking a five-for at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
On the Allan Border Field pitch, which had enough in it for the pacers, Richardson felt that in the first spell, he was still getting into the grove, but his first wicket (James Rew) set the tone for him in his second spell.
Hazlewood’s absence shouldn’t hurt Australia if Jhye Richardson gets the call.
— Rafi (@rafi4999) November 15, 2025
His skillset is tailor-made for Perth conditions. Pick him.
pic.twitter.com/n0XIBG5pen
“Yeah, feeling really good. Another 12 overs in the first innings, which is really nice. It’s nice to have a wicket which offered a bit of carry and something in it, really went well, ” Richardson said at stumps on day one.
“It took a little while to get going, still figuring out some things in the middle, which you don’t obviously get that exposure in the nets. Overall, very happy.”
The right-arm quick who went wicketless in his first professional game at Lilac Hill against the Lions, is now looking promising following his recurring shoulder surgery, which ruled him out for nearly 10 months.
The West Australian pacer is eyeing a Test comeback and if called upon by the selectors mid-Ashes wouldn’t shy away from the opportunity to play for Australia.
“Yeah, I think so, I’ve definitely had a lot of work and a lot of overs behind me now, which is really nice,” he said.
“I’m starting to get to the point now where, If I’ve been called upon (by selectors) then I’m definitely ready.”
Richardson said it felt “frustrating” to wait for the shoulder pain to completely go away and felt the rehabilitation process was heading in the right direction.
The right-arm quick also mentioned how his bowling speeds are gradually increasing, with speeds ranging between 135-140km/h both at Lilac Hill and at the Allan Border Field.
“I was a little bit worried for a while (during the build-up of my bowling) when my ball speeds were still down and my shoulder was still a little stiff, ” he said.
“But now the ball speeds are starting to come back up again and starting to see the ball swinging, which is nice and means my bowling technique is good enough.”
Richardson has a return to the Big Bash League but is not looking “far ahead” to the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year.
Ashes hopeful Matt Renshaw fell cheaply for 8 (26) while Ashes squad member Beau Webster also grabbed two wickets after being left out of the second Test team at the Gabba.
Victorian Campbell Kellaway impressed with a 71 off 75 balls, scoring 11 boundaries with Nathan McSweeney (40 not out) and Cooper Connolly (32 not out) as Australia A finished day one at 2-155.
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Originally published as Josh Hazlewood’s return to Australian side after achilles trouble delays bowling progression
