Australia's preparations for the first Ashes Test against England have been thrown into disarray after two key pace bowlers, Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott, suffered injury scares during a Sheffield Shield match.
Double Injury Blow for Australian Attack
The crisis emerged during the Sheffield Shield game between New South Wales and Victoria at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Both Hazlewood and Abbott were spotted leaving the venue on day three of the match and heading to a nearby medical clinic for assessment.
Neither Cricket Australia nor Cricket NSW could provide specific details about the nature of the injuries on Wednesday, leaving selectors anxiously awaiting updates with the Perth Test just nine days away.
Hazlewood Absence Would Be Critical
Any injury to established quick Josh Hazlewood would represent a significant setback for the Australian team. The situation is particularly concerning given that captain Pat Cummins is already confirmed to miss at least the series opener in Perth.
Hazlewood's fitness history adds to the worries - he missed three Tests last summer due to persistent side soreness. If he's ruled out, selectors would likely turn to Brendan Doggett to make his Test debut.
The timing couldn't be worse for Australia's bowling stocks. Scott Boland is expected to replace Cummins in the starting XI, but losing Hazlewood would decimate their experienced pace options.
Backup Bowlers Also Under Scrutiny
Sean Abbott, who serves as the other backup paceman in the Test squad, had been showing promising form before his injury scare. Abbott had taken three wickets in just six balls on Wednesday before departing the SCG for assessment.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Cameron Green made a cautious return to bowling for Western Australia against Queensland. He claimed a wicket in his opening spell and finished with 1 for 13 from eight overs on Tuesday, but did not bowl again on Wednesday as Queensland posted 390 in their first innings.
Elsewhere in the Sheffield Shield, Tasmania's Beau Webster strengthened his case for a top-six batting position with an impressive 5 for 50 against South Australia. Brendan Doggett also pressed his claims for Test selection with 5 for 66 in Tasmania's first innings, though he was less effective in the second innings with 1 for 39.
South Australia ultimately secured a three-wicket victory in Hobart, but the fitness of Australia's frontline bowlers remains the dominant concern as the Ashes series approaches.
