Josh Hazlewood cleared from fitness concerns but Abbott out of Test
Josh Hazlewood has taken 295 wickets maintaining an average of 24.21 in 76 Tests
Josh Hazlewood has been cleared to join the Australian team ahead of the opening Ashes match following fitness concerns, however, teammate the paceman has been ruled out
Both suffered hamstring injuries during their match for New South Wales in the Victoria clash in domestic cricket on Wednesday
Tests indicated the 34-year-old Hazlewood did not sustain muscle damage. Abbott, 33, who hasn't played Tests, sustained a significant hamstring issue
Skipper Pat Cummins is out of the initial match, starting November 21, so the loss of a key pace option like Hazlewood might have represented a major blow
Abbott would have been not expected to participate during the Western Australia Test, while Hazlewood will combine Starc and Boland as the specialist seamers
Cummins, currently healing from a back injury, is expected to be on track to return for the second Test commencing December fourth
Top-order player Smith will captain the side in Cummins' absence
Similar to most Australian cricketers, Hazlewood is involved in ongoing fixtures of state games ahead of the Ashes
Before this week, he hadn't featured red-ball cricket for New South Wales since last season
He felt tightness in his posterior chain near the conclusion of Victoria's second innings on Wednesday exiting the play taking preventive measures
Both players participated in batting for the follow-on innings in a losing cause by three hundred runs
"We have one week until the Test matches - always err on precautionary measures," commented Cummins
"They wanted to find out what was happening prior to testing it that could worsen the injury more severe"
"Uncommon to see him cheerful, therefore it was positive to see him smiling"
"He's aware of his condition thoroughly. He appeared somewhat concerned (and desired professional evaluation"
Abbott has won 57 caps with the national team in limited-overs formats
The uncapped the pace bowler provides bowling backup within the team, acting as backup for the main pace trio
