Victoria sheffield shield

New South Wales: Less than a week before Australia takes the field for the first Ashes Test against England at Perth Stadium, the hosts have suffered a huge blow as senior pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out due to a hamstring strain.

Hazlewood injured his hamstring during New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday. Initial scans cleared him, but Cricket Australia (CA) said on Saturday that a repeat imagery scan has shown a hamstring strain for Hazlewood.

“Josh Hazlewood underwent repeat imaging today that has confirmed a hamstring strain injury. Initial scans Wednesday were clear of muscle strain however follow-up imaging today has confirmed the injury.”