Josh Hazlewood cleared from injury but Abbott out of Test

Josh Hazlewood has been cleared to join the Australian team for the first Ashes Test following fitness concerns, although compatriot Sean Abbott has been ruled out

Both suffered hamstring injuries playing for NSW in the Victoria clash in domestic cricket this past Wednesday

Scans showed Hazlewood, 34 escaped a muscle strain. The 33-year-old Abbott, yet to debut, sustained a moderate-level injury

Captain Pat Cummins is out of the initial match, starting November 21, therefore missing of another established pace bowler such as Hazlewood would have been a major blow

The bowler stood unlikely to play at the Perth match, while Hazlewood will combine Starc and Boland as the specialist seamers

Cummins, currently healing from a back injury, appears to be on track to return during the next Test commencing December fourth

Batsman Steve Smith will lead Australia while Cummins is out

Like many of Australian cricketers, the bowler took part in ongoing fixtures of state games building up to the England series

Before this week, he hadn't featured red-ball cricket representing NSW for over twelve months

He noticed discomfort in his leg muscle during the final stages of the match during the match and left the field for safety reasons

The two bowlers participated in batting for their team's second batting effort during their defeat by three hundred runs

"We have one week before the international cricket - we consistently choose the side of caution," stated the captain

"They wanted to find out the nature of the problem ahead of risking that could worsen the injury more severe"

"He seldom shows him chipper, so it was good observing his positive demeanor"

"He knows his body extremely well. He appeared a little bit worried (seeking to obtain medical assessment"

Abbott has won 57 appearances with the national team in limited-overs formats

The yet-to-debut Doggett provides bowling backup within the team, providing cover for the main pace trio