Josh Hazlewood has been cleared to face England in the first Test of the Ashes after suffering an injury scare in the Sheffield Shield, though his Australia team-mate Sean Abbott will miss the match.

Australia will look to retain the urn when they host their rivals in five Tests between November 21 and early January, with the opener taking place in Perth.

Having already seen captain Pat Cummins ruled out of the first Test due to a back injury, with Steve Smith set to deputise, Australia suffered two scares on Wednesday.

During New South Wales' defeat to Victoria at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Hazlewood reported tightness in his right hamstring, while Abbott sustained a similar injury to his left leg.

Cricket Australia has since confirmed in a statement that Hazlewood's injury is not a concern, but Abbott will not be available until the second Test at the earliest.

They said: "Hazlewood left the field late in Victoria's innings at the SCG today reporting tightness in his right hamstring. 

"He underwent precautionary scans which have cleared him of muscle strain. He will train as planned in the lead-up to the first Test in Perth.

"Sean Abbott also left the field having reported left hamstring soreness. Scans confirmed a moderate grade hamstring injury. 

"He will not be available for selection for the first Test match in Perth and his return-to-play plan will be developed over the coming weeks."

CLASS OF '25 pic.twitter.com/YLXJbZZJXI

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) September 9, 2025

Smith – who was playing alongside the duo as the NSW skipper – said of Hazlewood: "He literally bowled his last ball and I looked at him and said, 'how are you going?' 

"He's like, 'I'm a bit tight in my hamstring.' I was like, 'Get off the field. Disappear. You're done, go and figure it out.' Fortunately, it was just some tightness and he's good."