Alarm bells ringing over ageing Aussie bowling attack

Australia’s all-conquering attack has more than 1,500 Test wickets, but a fresh injury adds more concern to their bowling futures.

Major cracks are appearing in Australia’s legendary bowling line-up after Josh Hazlewood’s troubling injury news.

Captain Pat Cummins has already missed the opening two Tests of the Ashes series with a back injury and Nathan Lyon was a shock omission from the starting XI in Brisbane, the second time in three Tests the spinner has been dumped.

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Hazlewood, 34, also missed the first two matches against England with a hamstring complaint and was pushing hard for a recall, but has now suffered a fresh setback after experiencing trouble with his Achilles.

The damaging paceman, who has starred for Australia in recent times in all three formats of the game, is now facing a race against time to play any part in this year’s five-match contest.

Mitchell Starc (second from right) is the only member of the quartet to fire so far this summer. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP)

“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.”

The injury carnage has left Mitchell Starc as the lone member of Australia’s historic bowling foursome to fire any shots in this series to date.

The 35-year-old took 10 wickets in Perth and has another six to date in Brisbane, taking his career tally to 418, now the most ever by a left-arm quick in Test history.

Combined with Lyon (562 wickets), Cummins (309) and Hazlewood (295), the quartet boasts a staggering 1,584 combined scalps in their baggy greens.

But there are increasing signs the all-conquering attack is finally starting to break down.

Lyon played in the opening Test but bowled just two overs before being dropped for Brisbane in a move that left him “absolutely filthy”.

The 38-year-old stalwart has been left stranded on his wicket tally, which is just one behind Glenn McGrath on Australia’s all-time list, with only the great Shane Warne (708 wickets) standing above that duo.

Nathan Lyon (left) doesn’t look thrilled to be 12th man for the second Test. Photo: Fox Sports

Lyon is expected to be recalled for the third Test in Adelaide, but the 140-Test veteran didn’t hide his displeasure when discussing his dumping with Channel 7.

“Short,” he said when asked about his conversation with chairman of selectors George Bailey.

“No, yeah, absolutely filthy, but yeah, can’t do anything about it so hope I can play my role in making sure I get the guys ready and do whatever I can to make sure that we get the right result here.

“I’m not the first player to miss a Test match and I won’t be the last.

“But yeah, obviously pretty gutted because I know the role that I can play within Australian cricket and especially a venue like this.

“Extremely disappointed but I’ll do whatever I have to do to make sure these guys are up.”

Josh Hazlewood had enjoyed a dominant period prior to his recent injury troubles. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Lyon has been carrying drinks and towels out for Australian batters in his role as 12th man in a position that will be grinding his gears, particularly when the home side tries to bowl England out in its second innings.

Hazlewood, meanwhile, has played a mountain of cricket in recent years and while he was rested in the lead-up to the Ashes, his body is showing worrying signs.

“That looks Melbourne Test match at best,” Damien Fleming said on SEN after Hazlewood’s latest ailment emerged.

“It’s more likely Sydney and you’re coming off no cricket. I feel for him. It has been consistent with his last five summers.”

There was a strong reaction to the popular Hazlewood’s malaise on social media.

X account CricBlog wrote: “Josh Hazlewood has experienced Achilles soreness in his rehab from a hamstring injury. Hopes of an appearance this series in the air.”

Cricket writer Malcolm Conn said: “Hazlewood was setting himself for Boxing Day. This will make it hard.”

RCB Xtra, a fan account of Hazlewood’s IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru, wrote on X: “Another Injury for Josh Hazlewood. The RCB pacer suffers Achilles soreness during his hamstring rehab. He was never ready to feature in the Adelaide Test but now doubtful to even play a part in this Ashes.”

While Hazelwood will be racing to appear in the Ashes, Cummins and Lyon are expected to return for the Adelaide Test.

“It’s just what England want to hear,” Michael Vaughan said sarcastically on Kayo Sport.

Originally published as Alarm bells ringing over ageing Aussie bowling attack