Josh Hazlewood cleared from injury but Sean Abbott out of Ashes Test

Hazlewood received clearance to link up with the Australian team for the first Ashes Test following fitness concerns, but fellow pace bowler the paceman has been ruled out

The two experienced muscle problems while representing NSW in the Victoria clash during Sheffield Shield action recently

Scans showed Hazlewood (34) did not sustain a muscle strain. The 33-year-old Abbott, yet to debut, has a significant hamstring issue

Skipper Pat Cummins is unavailable for the first Test, starting November 21, meaning the absence of a key pace option like Hazlewood might have represented a major blow

The bowler stood not expected to participate in Perth, as Hazlewood prepares to team up Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland as the specialist seamers

The captain, rehabilitating from a back injury, is expected to be scheduled to reappear for the second Test commencing December fourth

Top-order player Smith takes over leadership in Cummins' absence

Similar to most the Australia players, the bowler took part in ongoing fixtures of state games building up to the Ashes

Before this week, he had not played a first-class match for New South Wales in more than a year

He noticed discomfort in his hamstring during the final stages of the match recently and was substituted for safety reasons

Neither Hazlewood nor Abbott came out to bat during their team's second batting effort in a losing cause by three hundred runs

"We're a week away until the Test matches - typically prefer precautionary measures," stated the captain

"The medical staff sought to identify the nature of the problem prior to testing it and potentially making the injury more severe"

"He seldom shows him cheerful, so it was good to see him smiling"

"He understands his physique extremely well. I think he was a little bit worried (and) wanted to get professional evaluation"

Abbott has won 57 caps representing Australia in limited-overs formats

The uncapped the pace bowler provides bowling backup among the selections, providing cover for the primary fast bowlers