In a massive blow for the Australian National Cricket Team, the star pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the Gabba Test, as per a report in Code Cricket.
Skipper Pat Cummins’ return is already under immense doubt, while Josh Hazlewood’s unavailability has created a further sense of insecurity. The England pace deck, on the other hand, looks quite impressive with five seamers on their side.
The First Test of the Ashes 2025-26 season began at the Optus Stadium in Perth with Australia and England pacers relishing a heavenly track for fast bowlers. It’s fast, bouncy, and has excellent carry. England were bowled out for just 172 within the second session of play.
Josh Hazlewood ruled out of Gabba Test
Skipper Pat Cummins shared a glimpse of a revival ahead of the next Test, since they still have around 2 weeks’ time; however, no guarantee has been cast over his likely return. Now, Josh Hazlewood’s medical bulletin brings in further bad news for the Aussies.
The pacer, who was ruled out of the first Test due to a hamstring injury during his Sheffield Shield practice with New South Wales, would miss the game for an extended period of time, as his injury has worsened. Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Test in Brisbane as well.
Australia faces mounting pressure over fast bowling stocks with Josh Hazlewood set to be ruled out of Brisbane Test while Pat Cummins races against time to prove his fitness.
DETAILS | https://t.co/szrVoQbvFE pic.twitter.com/BrO2htolHZ
— CODE Cricket (@codecricketau) November 21, 2025
Pat Cummins announces return amid Ashes
Australian captain Pat Cummins has been missing from their squad across all formats for a long time now, as he last played in July in the Caribbean. Recovering since then from a stress injury, Cummins has yet to make an appearance on the field.
Several times, it was cited that Pat Cummins might return ahead of the white-ball series against India or the Sheffield Shield games to prepare for the Test series. However, after being ruled out of the first Ashes as well, Cummins has now revealed that he is feeling fine and a return is on track.
Though he has not recovered fully yet, he is positive that the Brisbane Test is 2 weeks from now, and the Captain will be positively making a comeback by then.
Ben Stokes cleans up Australia with an impressive 5-wicket haul on Day 1
England pacers were already oozing fire with Jofra Archer leading the pack. Archer gave away just 11 runs in his 9-over spell with 2 wickets, and so did Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood, though they went wicketless despite being economical.
However, the main carnage was delivered when the England skipper introduced himself into the attack. A healthy and innings-stabilizing partnership between Travis Head and Cameron Green led Stokes to bring himself on.
The 45-run partnership threatened England’s timid score, but skipper Stokes picked up a 5-wicket haul in his 6-over spell and reduced the Aussies from 76-4 to 121-9 as they called stumps on Day 1 at Perth.
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