Ashes 2025-26: Josh Hazlewood optimistic of comeback towards back-end of series

Australian ace pacer Josh Hazlewood recently opened up about his ongoing hamstring injury and revealed that he is looking for a comeback in the later stages of the ongoing Ashes 2025-26. The experienced fast bowler has already missed the opening Test in Perth and has now been ruled out of the day-night second Test at the Gabba. While Australia named an unchanged squad for the pink-ball match, Hazlewood continues to recover with hopes of contributing in the back end of the series.

Hazlewood suffered a right hamstring injury during a Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales, just days before the first Ashes Test. Additional scans confirmed the damage, forcing him to sit out the opening match. His absence, along with Pat Cummins’ ongoing recovery, has left Australia without two of its most experienced fast bowlers as they head into the second Test in Brisbane.

Despite the setbacks, Australia started strongly with a win in Perth and holds a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. With the pink-ball Test approaching, selectors have opted to retain the same 14-member squad. Hazlewood has been bowling in the nets in Sydney with a red ball, giving the team hope that he may return later in the series.

“It's coming along slowly. I'll have another bowl today; I just started the other day. Running and everything's going well. It's probably tough to put a timeline on it. I think ‘Ron' (Australian coach Andrew McDonald) probably nailed it the other day play a part in the back end, hopefully. Hopefully it's not still in the balance, hopefully we're on top by then," Hazlewood said at the SCG on Friday.

Pat Cummins ruled out of second Test

Alongside Hazlewood, captain Pat Cummins has also been ruled out of the second Test. Although Cummins trained hard in Sydney and bowled at full intensity to Steve Smith with the pink ball, the selectors decided not to rush him. He will travel to Brisbane to continue training and is expected to be fit for the third Test in Adelaide.

With both Hazlewood and Cummins unavailable, Australia have stuck with the same squad from the Perth Test. Smith will continue as stand-in captain, while Brendan Doggett, who picked five wickets in Perth, is likely to retain his spot. Usman Khawaja has also been included despite suffering back spasms, though his place in the playing XI could depend on his recovery.

 Australia squad for the second Test vs England

Steve Smith (C), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster