Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood’s hopes of playing some part in the 2025-26 Ashes have been dealt a major blow. The pacer is suffering from ‘Achilles soreness’, picked up during his rehabilitation and recovery from a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the first two Tests of the series.

Cricket Australia (CA) in a statement suggested that the issue wasn’t a major one and Hazlewood could resume bowling ‘next week’. He was already racing against time to be fit for the third Test in Adelaide, which begins on December 17, but now he’s a major doubt for the fourth (Melbourne, December 26-30) and fifth (Sydney, January 4-8) games, too.

“Josh Hazlewood reported Achilles soreness this week during his rehabilitation from recent hamstring injury," a Cricket Australia statement said. “It is a low

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