Australia will finish the Ashes without Josh Hazlewood. The fast bowler is out of the series due to hamstring and Achilles problems. These injuries have troubled him for years. They also kept him away as Australia took a 2-0 lead at the Gabba last week.
Hazlewood hoped to return this summer. But a new Achilles concern stopped him from joining the squad in Brisbane. Coach Andrew McDonald confirmed the news today. “He will be out of the series and his preparation will then shift towards the [2026 T20] World Cup, which is an incredibly important campaign for us but unfortunately, Josh won’t be a part of the Ashes,” McDonald said.
“It’s really flat for him. A couple of setbacks we didn’t see coming. We thought he’d play a huge part in the series. We really feel for him that he won’t get that opportunity.”
Hazlewood has now missed the full Test tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year. He also played only two Tests in last summer’s home series against India.
His absence opens the door for Scott Boland or Michael Neser to stay in the XI for the third Test and the rest of the series. Boland has been the main backup quick for some years. But Neser is in form after a five-wicket haul at the Gabba.
Pat Cummins is set to return from his back injury. That is likely to be Australia’s only change for Adelaide. Brendan Doggett may miss out. The final 15-player squad should be confirmed on Wednesday. Usman Khawaja is also expected to return from his back issue.
Australia plans to use a full-strength attack as they look to seal the series. Mitchell Starc has had a heavy workload, but nine days of rest between Tests should be enough for recovery. McDonald said they will think about rest later in the series. “We wouldn’t be thinking about someone needing a rest there, it’s probably more so in Test match four and five,” he said.
Nathan Lyon is set for a key role. He bowled only two overs in the first Test and did not play the second. Still, he has more Test wickets at Adelaide Oval than anywhere else in the world.
“I’ll make this a headline: We still do value spin,” McDonald said. He noted that recent pitches have reduced Lyon’s impact. But he believes Lyon can shape the final three Tests. He pointed to Lyon’s work at the MCG last year. “When the surface became benign day three onwards, he was able to navigate through a hole.”
Lyon earlier told the Seven Network he was “absolutely filthy” about missing the Gabba Test. McDonald said there is no rift. “I don’t think ‘patch up’ are the right words, that’s probably a little bit of an overreaction,” he said.
“We just value different things in the pink-ball game and unfortunately that meant that Nathan had to squeeze (out), that’s nothing to do with his skill set. For him to be disappointed, I understand that, I get that. I’d be disappointed if he wasn’t disappointed.”
