Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood marked a promising return to the nets on Tuesday, as he continues recovering from the hamstring injury that sidelined him for the opening Ashes Test in Perth. He trained at Cricket Central in Sydney while New South Wales played Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield.
The fact that Hazlewood bowled with a red ball suggests his comeback is being targeted for the Adelaide Test, which has switched back to a day format.
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald confirmed that Hazlewood will feature later in the series:
“We expect him to take part in the series once he completes the early stages of rehabilitation.”
Pat Cummins Steps Up Pink-Ball Preparation
The major news headline overhauling the Australian cricket headlines is: Will Pat Cummins Play in Ashes 2025/26?
Cummins continued his return-to-play program with a pink ball, marking his push to be fit for the upcoming day-night Test at the Gabba.
Having ramped up his intensity in recent weeks, Cummins impressed in the Perth nets before the opening Test. According to McDonald, the captain is nearing the final phase of his rehab:
“The ball speed and intensity were there. Now it’s about building soft-tissue resilience and making sure we don’t fast-track things too aggressively.
The selectors will only clear Cummins once he demonstrates his full capability to cope with the workload of a Test match, despite indications that games in the series may be shorter due to aggressive playing from both sides.
Schedule May Influence Australia’s Selection Strategy
The first three Tests are reasonably well spaced: it is 11 days between the Perth and Brisbane matches after the two-day finish in the opener, but from Adelaide onwards, the schedule tightens: there are just four days between the Boxing Day Test and the match that follows in Sydney.
The pink-ball Test in Brisbane may again be a fast-moving contest. In the latest Sheffield Shield round at the Gabba, ten wickets fell during the night session on day three in the clash between Queensland and Victoria.
Bartlett, Neser and Richardson in the Selection Frame
Xavier Bartlett was the pick of bowlers in that Shield game, getting 4 for 35 and adding a career-best 72 with the bat. More recent international form in ODIs and T20Is has elevated his case as a future pace option, but Australia may not need reinforcements if both Cummins and Hazlewood are fit.
Perth’s spare fast bowler, Michael Neser, might come into contention at the Gabba, his home ground. He has played two previous Tests, both pink-ball encounters in Adelaide.
The selectors are also optimistic about Jhye Richardson, who returns after shoulder surgery. He bowled 20 overs for the Cricket Australia XI against England Lions and is expected to feature for Australia A next week in Brisbane.
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Richardson said:
“It was an important hit-out in terms of my physical preparation. The shoulder feels good and it’s getting better with each bowl. What This Means for Australia With Hazlewood progressing well and Cummins building towards a return, Australia’s fast-bowling stocks seem strong.
The question is: Will Pat Cummins Play in Ashes 2025/26, particularly the pink-ball Test in Brisbane? Early indications are that he is near, but the selectors will be very cautious to avoid setbacks.
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