Australia are sweating on hamstring injury assessments on Test star Josh Hazlewood and reserve paceman Sean Abbott after a dramatic morning at the SCG on Wednesday.
Hazlewood and Abbott left the field during Victoria’s second innings, having starred in NSW’s day-three revival with the ball, with Abbott taking four wickets in the morning session.
Josh Hazlewood celebrates taking a wicket for NSW on Wednesday.Credit: Getty Images
Cricket NSW officials are yet to confirm the extent of either injury, only that the quicks were assessed by a physio. Abbott and Hazlewood were spotted walking freely during the lunch break to a medical clinic in the SCG precinct, with no hint of either player limping.
With skipper Pat Cummins already sidelined for at least the first Ashes Test due to a back injury, Australia can ill afford to lose another frontline paceman before next Friday’s series opener against England in Perth.
Hazlewood missed three Tests last summer due to ongoing side strain issues, while the uncapped Abbott has slowly moved up the fast bowling pecking order in recent years.
Neither player appeared to show discomfort while bowling on Wednesday morning. Abbott took three wickets in six balls early in the day to trigger a Victoria collapse before the visitors declared at 9-171.
Hazlewood also impressed in his first spell with short-pitched offerings before bouncing out Sam Harper, who was caught by Abbott at deep square leg.
South Australia speedster Brendan Doggett would come into contention for a surprise Test debut should Hazlewood’s injury prove serious.