Australia DENTED! Josh Hazlewood ruled out of entire Ashes 2025-26 vs England

Australia secured an eight-wicket win in the first Ashes 2025-26 Test against England in Perth, but they had to do it without Josh Hazlewood, who missed the match due to a hamstring issue. There is growing uncertainty over whether the fast bowler will be fit to return in the ongoing five-match Test series at home.

Australia played without Hazlewood and Pat Cummins in the opening Test. Mitchell Starc picked up seven wickets in the first innings and added three more in the second to complete a ten-wicket haul. Brendan Doggett made his Test debut for Australia, while Scott Boland replaced Cummins in the playing XI.

Josh Hazlewood Ruled Out of the Ashes 2025-26

Speaking to 7Cricket, Australia sports journalist Peter Lalor said that Josh Hazlewood’s injury could be far more serious than initially believed. He stated that the fast bowler might not feature again in the Ashes series.

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“Well, if these whispers I’m hearing about Hazlewood are right, you’re not going to see him again. If the worst comes to fruition with Hazlewood, we might not see him again in this series.”

"If these whispers I'm hearing about Hazlewood are right ... we might not see him again in this series."

- Pete Lalor #Ashes pic.twitter.com/HBfM5XNrfJ

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) November 23, 2025

Hazlewood had skipped the final three T20Is against India to play a Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales, but that outing backfired. He picked up a hamstring strain during the game, and there’s now uncertainty around when he might return.

Josh Hazlewood Missed Four Tests in the Ashes 2021-22 Series at Home

Josh Hazlewood last played a Test match for Australia during the West Indies tour in July. The right-arm pacer picked up 14 wickets in three matches at an average of 14.43 and a strike rate of 28.71, with best bowling figures of 5-43.

Josh Hazlewood was in good touch during the white-ball series against India and in the Sheffield Shield. However, he sustained hamstring tightness while playing for New South Wales.

Since 2014, Australia have won two home Test series played in the absence of Pat Cummins and Hazlewood, one against England in 2021 and another versus West Indies in 2022. During the 2021-22 Ashes, Hazlewood missed four matches and Cummins missed one, yet Australia still recorded a 4-0 series victory.

Australia Take 1-0 Lead in Ashes 2024-25 Following Perth Test Win

Australia opened the Ashes series with a commanding eight-wicket win in Perth. Mitchell Starc ran through the England batting lineup throughout the match. Starc secured the Player of the Match award, setting the tone for the hosts.

Australia scored 132 in the first innings and conceded a 40-run lead to England. Starc, Scott Boland, and debutant Brendan Doggett delivered tight bowling as England were bowled out for just 164 runs.

Chasing 205, Travis Head, who was promoted to open, smashed 123 from 83 balls, including 16 boundaries and four sixes. Marnus Labuschagne added an unbeaten fifty as Australia reached 205 for 2 in just 28.2 overs, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Also read: ICC World Test Championship Points Table, WTC Table After AUS vs ENG 1st Test - Ashes 2025-26