2 hours ago
Hazlewood received clearance to link up with the Aussie lineup for the first Ashes Test following fitness concerns, but fellow pace bowler the paceman is unavailable
Both suffered muscle problems while representing NSW versus Victoria in the Sheffield Shield this past Wednesday
Tests indicated Hazlewood, 34 escaped tissue injury. The uncapped Abbott, 33, suffered a significant hamstring issue
Skipper Pat Cummins is out of the first Test, commencing later this month, meaning the absence of another established pace bowler in Hazlewood could have proven a significant setback
Abbott would have been not expected to participate in Perth, as Hazlewood prepares to team up Starc and Boland forming the fast bowling unit
Cummins, currently healing from a back injury, appears to be scheduled to reappear for the second Test in Brisbane starting on 4 December
Top-order player Smith takes over leadership during the captain's recovery
Like many of Aussie squad members, the bowler took part in recent matches of state games building up to the England series
Until this match, he was absent from red-ball cricket for New South Wales in more than a year
He felt tightness in his leg muscle towards the end of the opposition's batting recently and was substituted as a precaution
Both players batted in the follow-on innings in a losing cause by 300 runs
"We're a week away until the Test matches - typically prefer the side of caution," commented Cummins
"They wanted to find out the nature of the problem ahead of risking that could worsen the injury more severe"
"It's rare to get him upbeat, therefore it was positive to witness his smile"
"He knows his body thoroughly. He appeared somewhat concerned (seeking to obtain medical assessment"
Abbott has won 57 caps with the national team in white-ball cricket
The yet-to-debut Doggett is the other seamer in the squad, providing cover for the main pace trio
