Less than a week before Australia takes the field for the first Ashes Test against England at Perth Stadium, the hosts have suffered a significant setback as senior pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out due to a hamstring strain.

Hazlewood injured his hamstring during New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday. Initial scans cleared him, but Cricket Australia (CA) stated on Saturday that a repeat imaging scan has confirmed a hamstring strain for Hazlewood.

“Josh Hazlewood underwent repeat imaging today that has confirmed a hamstring strain injury. Initial scans Wednesday were clear of muscle strain however follow-up imaging today has confirmed the injury."

“Early imaging can occasionally underestimate low-grade muscle injuries. A

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