New Delhi: Australia have suffered a massive blow ahead of the first Ashes Test against England at Optus Stadium in Perth on November 21. Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the series opener with a hamstring injury three days after initially being cleared when he left the field during the Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Victoria at the SCG.

Hazlewood will not travel with the team to Perth this weekend, and Queensland pacer Michael Neser has been added to the squad. The hosts have already lost Pat Cummins, at least for the first Test, as he recovers from a back injury and Sean Abbott to a hamstring injury.

“Initial scans on Wednesday were clear of muscle strain, however follow-up imaging today has confirmed the injury. Early imaging can occasionally

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