<h2>Josh Hazlewood Ruled Out of The Ashes with Achilles Injury - Three Point Summary:</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>- Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the entire Test summer due to an Achilles injury setback.</p> <p>- Australia's star fast bowlers' Ashes hopes crushed after injury flare-up while rehabbing a hamstring injury.</p> <p>- Significant blow to Australia's bowling attack for the remainder of the Test series.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of Australia's Test summer after suffering an Achilles injury flare-up that has ended his Ashes campaign.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Hazlewood's Ashes Dreams Crushed by Injury Setback</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Australia's pace bowling stocks have taken a major hit with the confirmation that Josh Hazlewood will miss the entire Test summer due to an Achilles injury.&nbsp;</p> <p>The New South Wales quick's hopes of making a late return for the Ashes series have been completely dashed, dealing a significant blow to Australia's bowling attack.</p> <p>The 33-year-old fast bowler had been battling to overcome the injury concern, but recent developments have forced Cricket Australia to rule him out of contention for the remainder of the Test season.&nbsp;</p> <p>Hazlewood's absence removes one of Australia's most reliable wicket-takers from the equation, leaving selectors with crucial decisions to make regarding the bowling lineup.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Impact on Australia's Test Campaign</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Hazlewood's unavailability creates a substantial gap in Australia's pace bowling department. Known for his metronomic accuracy and ability to extract movement from any surface, the right-arm quick has been a cornerstone of Australia's Test success in recent years. His partnership with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc has formed one of the world's most formidable pace attacks.</p> <p>The injury setback compounds earlier concerns about Hazlewood's fitness, with hamstring troubles also contributing to his extended absence from international cricket.&nbsp;</p> <p>Cricket Australia's medical team has clearly decided that rushing the bowler back could risk further complications, opting for a conservative approach to his rehabilitation.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Bowling Options for Selectors</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>With Hazlewood sidelined, Australia's selectors will need to explore alternative pace bowling combinations for the Test summer.&nbsp;</p> <p>The absence opens opportunities for fringe players to stake their claim for a spot in the Test XI. Candidates likely to come under consideration include Josh Boland, Michael Neser, and other state-level pace bowlers who have been pressing for international recognition.</p> <p>The timing of Hazlewood's injury couldn't be worse for Australian cricket, with the Test summer representing crucial opportunities to maintain their strong home record.&nbsp;</p> <p>His experience and ability to bowl long spells while maintaining pressure on opposition batsmen will be sorely missed throughout the campaign.</p> <p>A returning Pat Cummins and spearhead Mitchell Starc will now carry additional responsibility as the senior pace bowlers in the squad.&nbsp;</p> <p>Their workload management becomes even more critical with Hazlewood unavailable, particularly given the demanding nature of Test cricket and the need to maintain peak performance across multiple matches.</p> <p>The Achilles injury represents a setback not just for Hazlewood personally, but for Australian cricket's depth in the pace bowling department.&nbsp;</p> <p>His absence will test the resilience and adaptability of the bowling group as they adjust their strategies and combinations for the challenges ahead.</p> <p>Cricket Australia has not provided a specific timeline for Hazlewood's return, suggesting the injury requires careful management to ensure a full recovery.&nbsp;</p> <p>The focus will now shift to ensuring he returns to full fitness for future series, including a T20 World Cup in February, where Hazlewood is a leader of that bowling group in the shortest form of the game.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>The Ashes 2025/26 Series Betting Odds:</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p>