Hazlewood cleared of fitness concerns however Sean Abbott out of Test

Josh Hazlewood has been cleared to link up with the Australian team for the first Ashes Test post-injury worries, although compatriot Abbott has been ruled out

The two experienced hamstring injuries during their match for their state team in the Victoria clash during Sheffield Shield action on Wednesday

Medical examinations revealed the 34-year-old Hazlewood avoided a muscle strain. The uncapped Abbott, 33, has a moderate-level injury

Skipper Pat Cummins will miss the initial match, starting November 21, meaning the absence of a key pace option like Hazlewood might have represented a serious concern

The bowler stood unlikely to play at the Perth match, while Hazlewood will combine Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland as the primary pace attack

Cummins, who is recovering from spinal concerns, is thought to be on track to return during the next Test commencing December fourth

Batter Steve Smith takes over leadership in Cummins' absence

Like many of Aussie squad members, the bowler took part in the current round of state games in preparation for the England series

Before this week, he was absent from a first-class match with his state team for over twelve months

He noticed discomfort in his posterior chain towards the end of Victoria's second innings recently and left the field as a precaution

Both players participated in batting for their team's second batting effort in a losing cause by 300 runs

"We have one week from the Test series - we consistently choose precautionary measures," stated the captain

"They needed to determine the nature of the problem before pushing it and possibly causing anything worse"

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

"He knows his body extremely well. I think he was slightly anxious (and desired professional evaluation"

Abbott has won 57 appearances for Australia in white-ball cricket

The uncapped Doggett is the other seamer in the squad, offering support to the main pace trio