Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood faces another setback in the ongoing Ashes series after reporting Achilles soreness during the early stages of his recovery from a recent hamstring injury.
Hazlewood had been scheduled to link up with the Test squad in Brisbane to continue his rehabilitation, but those plans have now been paused.
Hazlewood began light bowling in Sydney last week after missing the series opener due to a hamstring strain suffered while playing for New South Wales.
Cricket Australia confirmed the latest issue in a brief update, noting it was a mild problem and that the pacer should resume running and bowling next week.
Although Hazlewood was unlikely to feature in the second Test in Adelaide, the fresh delay leaves him in a tight race to be ready for the Melbourne or Sydney matches.
His run of injuries in recent years has become a growing concern, with new problems often surfacing as he returns to a full workload.
The fast bowler has battled calf troubles, repeated side strains, and Achilles issues across multiple seasons. During the 2022–23 home summer, he picked up a side strain in the opening Test and missed three games.
When he returned, Achilles’ soreness kept him out of the India tour and left him short of match fitness ahead of the World Test Championship final.
Last summer brought another difficult stretch. Hazlewood missed matches due to a side strain and later a calf injury during a rushed comeback, ruling him out of the remainder of the season, the Sri Lanka tour and the Champions Trophy.
His form only stabilized after returning midway through the IPL.
Ahead of this Ashes series, his only Sheffield Shield outing ended with the hamstring issue that now forms the basis of his extended layoff. A scan initially overlooked the strain, prompting concern about possible tendon involvement. The latest Achilles soreness adds to the complication.
Coach Andrew McDonald has remained hopeful that Hazlewood can still play later in the series, but the slowdown in his recovery reduces that possibility.
Australia’s bowling stocks have already been stretched, with Sean Abbott also out due to a hamstring injury. Pat Cummins was close to returning at the Gabba but has been held back for Adelaide.
