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Josh Hazlewood Injury Update
Josh Hazlewood is officially out of the entire 2025–26 Ashes series, and for Australian fans, that news hits like a sharp bouncer you didn’t see coming. One minute, we were waiting for the towering quick to make a comeback in Brisbane; the next, Andrew McDonald stepped up and confirmed the ankle and Achilles flare-up had put him out of the summer completely.
Shivansh Rajpal (@RajpalShiv46534) shared on X that Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the Ashes, delivering the news in a brief update.
Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) reported on X that Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the remainder of the #Ashes2025 and will shift his focus toward recovering fully in time for the T20 World Cup.
It’s bad luck, plain and simple, for a man whose rhythm and reliability have long been Australia’s quiet strength. For those following Hazlewood’s stop-start Test run, this feels like déjà vu.
He’s missed chunks of cricket since 2021 with side strains, calf niggles, and hamstring issues. Just when it looked like he was finally ready to bowl in the nets again, the Achilles decided to remind him (and everyone else) that fast bowling is as much about managing pain as generating pace.
McDonald said it best: “Really flat for him.” The words carried more weight than emotion, like a coach who’s seen this movie too many times.
What Happened to Josh Hazlewood?
He tore his hamstring playing in the Sheffield Shield, and while rehabbing that, developed soreness near the Achilles, somewhere between calf and heel, that stubborn zone that doesn’t heal quickly no matter what the physios promise.
The timing couldn’t have been worse. Hazlewood was due to rejoin the Australian squad in Brisbane, but rehab setbacks forced a rethink.
Those who’ve followed his journey know this isn’t a one-off, he’s had to sit out entire tours before: India in 2023, parts of the last Ashes, and even a couple of home Tests.
There’s something almost tragic about it. The “Mr. Consistent” of Australia’s bowling line-up has played just half of the team’s Tests in recent years. And yet, when he is out there, it’s textbook Hazlewood: top-of-off, unflappable, hitting the same patch a hundred times in a row.
Fast bowlers age differently, the body remembers every over, but Josh, at 34, isn’t finished. He’s shifting his focus now to the T20 World Cup in India next February, a campaign that might just offer the redemption story his long form couldn’t.
The Cummins Boost Amid the Blow
If there’s a silver lining in this injury saga, it’s that Pat Cummins is back. The skipper, who missed the first two Tests with back issues, has completed his match-simulation stints at the Allan Border Field and looks set to lead again in Adelaide.
McDonald said Cummins “simulated match conditions with multiple spells,” which sounds like coach-speak until you picture it, the captain running in under the Queensland sun, bowling imaginary spells against invisible batters. The man loves process.
It’s a huge lift for Australia. They’re already 2–0 up in the series, and with Cummins rejoining Starc, Boland, and possibly Neser, that bowling attack suddenly looks like a lock for a 3–0 lead. Starc, meanwhile, has been a monster, 18 wickets and a cameo 77 with the bat in Brisbane.
He’s that player you can’t ignore, and he’s been carrying the load with near-surgical precision. You can almost imagine him grinning when asked if he’s tired: “Bit of side soreness, mate, but all good.” Classic Starc.
Who Steps Up Now?
With Hazlewood gone, it’s likely a toss-up between Scott Boland and Michael Neser to fill that third seamer slot. Boland’s efficiency and line control have always made him a ready-made option, but Neser’s five-for in Brisbane adds a twist.
You couldn’t script better timing for him. If conditions favor swing, Neser deserves the nod, he’s Queensland sunshine in human form, always smiling, always ready. Another mini subplot: Nathan Lyon is itching to return too. Left out for pink-ball conditions in Brisbane, he’s expected to be back in Adelaide.
McDonald was quick to remind everyone that spin still matters, especially once pitches flatten out on days three and four. “We still do value spin,” he said, half-joking but fully serious. For Lyon, that’s music to the ears.
The Bigger Picture
For Hazlewood, this setback might just extend his career if handled right. Pushing through in December could’ve meant a longer layoff, maybe months.
A cautious approach could instead have him firing again in India’s T20 carnival next year, where conditions will test every seamer’s patience and variations. And let’s be honest, a fully fit Hazlewood in a World Cup is a terrifying prospect for batters.
Australia, meanwhile, look settled. A 2–0 cushion lets them play positive cricket, maybe even experiment with Khawaja’s position now that Travis Head and Jake Weatherald have shown spark at the top.
McDonald hinted at “strategic flexibility,” which is coach-speak for “we’re not sure yet, but we’re rolling with it.” Fair enough, when you’re winning, you earn the right to experiment.
Disclaimer: The information provided above is for general news and commentary purposes only. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy at the time of writing, player availability, injury statuses, and team selections can change rapidly. This content is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sourced directly from Cricket Australia, team medical staff, or any official sporting body. For the latest and most reliable updates, please refer to official team announcements, accredited sports journalists, or governing cricket organizations.
