Josh Hazlewood to miss Gabba test as Pat Cummins eyes possible return for pink ball clash News24 –

Australia will be without fast bowler Josh Hazlewood for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, a day-night pink-ball contest starting December 29. Hazlewood, who missed the Perth Test due to a hamstring issue, is still working through his early rehab phase. While he won’t be ready for The Gabba, the team is confident he will play later in the series.

Hazlewood Continues Rehab, Expected Back Later in the Series

Hazlewood suffered a hamstring injury during the Sheffield Shield and was ruled out of the first Test at Perth. He will join the squad in Brisbane to continue his rehabilitation.

Head coach Andrew McDonald explained that the medical team is still assessing how quickly he can progress.

“He is working through the first week of his rehab,” McDonald said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “Once we have some rough timelines, then we will communicate that. I know he will be available at some point during the series. We expect him to take some part.”

The team is taking a cautious approach to make sure Hazlewood returns fully fit and does not risk further injury.

Cummins Nearing Full Fitness but Decision Will Be Late

Skipper Pat Cummins, who also missed the Perth Test, is closer to a return. The two-day finish to the first Test changed his bowling schedule, as he was originally supposed to bowl on the fourth day before returning home. His bowling workload has now been pushed back by a day following travel to Sydney.

McDonald said that the decision on whether Cummins plays at The Gabba will come late, as the team continues to monitor his progress.

“For those who saw him in Perth… it looked like a player nearing the completion of his rehabilitation,” McDonald said. “The intensity was there, the ball speed was there. Now it is just about building resilience in the soft tissue.”

If Cummins plays in Brisbane and the match lasts the full five days, he will still have an eight-day break before the third Test in Adelaide. Cummins has earlier mentioned that back-to-back matches might be tough, but shorter matches like the quick finish in Perth could help his workload.

Australia Weighing Options Ahead of Important Test

With Hazlewood ruled out and Cummins still uncertain, Australia’s bowling combination for Brisbane remains undecided. McDonald said discussions will continue right up to the Test, and the team will not take any risks with either player.

Cummins’ return is “nearing completion,” according to McDonald, but the final call will depend on how he responds in the coming days.