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New injury scares threaten Australia’s pace attack ahead of first Ashes Test | The Ashes


Australia have a double injury concern ahead of the first Ashes Test, with Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott both leaving the Sydney Cricket Ground with injuries.

Hazlewood and Abbott were both spotted leaving the ground on day three of the Sheffield Shield game against Victoria and going to a nearby clinic to be assessed. 

Neither Cricket Australia or Cricket NSW could confirm the specifics of the injury concerns on Wednesday.

Any injury to Hazlewood would be of significant concern with the first Test against England in Perth just nine days away.

Australia are already without their captain Pat Cummins for at least the series opener, with the quick expected to be replaced in the XI by Scott Boland.

If Hazlewood was also ruled out, Brendan Doggett would probably be called in to debut.

Hazlewood missed three Tests last summer through injury as he battled side soreness.

Abbott is the other backup paceman in the Test squad. He took three wickets in six balls on Wednesday before leaving the SCG to also be assessed.

Cameron Green bowls to Marnus Labuschagne during day one of the Sheffield Shield match between WA and Queensland on Tuesday. Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Cameron Green impressed with the ball for Western Australia on his return to bowling during the opening day of the Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland on Tuesday.

The all-rounder claimed a wicket in his opening spell and finished the day with 1 for 13 from eight overs.

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Green has been set the task of bowling 15 to 20 overs in the match as he returns from injury but did not take the ball again on Wednesday as Queensland ended their first innings on 390.

Fellow Australia all-rounder Beau Webster took 5 for 50 for Tasmania against South Australia to keep the pressure on for a top-six spot ahead of the first Test.

The 31-year-old claimed another three wickets in South Australia’s second innings but could not prevent the visitors from claiming a three-wicket victory in Hobart.

Doggett helped put South Australia in command – and press his claims for a Test debut in Perth – with 5 for 66 in Tasmania’s first innings, though was less threatening when taking 1 for 39 later in the match.

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