The latest Josh Hazlewood injury update and return timeline for Ashes 2025.
Latest Josh Hazlewood injury update
Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has hit another setback in his recovery, with Achilles soreness slowing his progress from a recent hamstring injury and raising fresh questions over when he will return in the ongoing Ashes series.
Cricket Australia confirmed that Hazlewood felt Achilles discomfort during early bowling workloads in Sydney. He was initially expected to rejoin the Test squad in Brisbane but that has now been put on hold.
“Josh Hazlewood reported achilles soreness this week during his rehabilitation from recent hamstring injury,” Cricket Australia said in a statement. “It is a low-grade issue and he is expected to recommence running and bowling next week.”
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When will Hazlewood return?
The biggest question now is when will Hazlewood return to Test cricket. Having already been ruled out of the Ashes opener and unlikely for Adelaide, the fast bowler now faces a tight race for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne or the New Year’s Test in Sydney.
Coaching staff have maintained optimism that he could still feature later in the series, but any further delay in increasing his bowling loads will shrink that window.
This latest concern continues a pattern in recent years where secondary injuries — side strains, calf strains, and Achilles issues — have flared soon after major layoffs, disrupting his availability despite strong initial recoveries.
Australia challenged for depth early in the series
Australia’s pace stocks have already been tested. Sean Abbott is unavailable due to a hamstring strain, while captain Pat Cummins has been managed cautiously and only expected to return in Adelaide.
Hazlewood had enjoyed a rare uninterrupted stretch from mid-2025 — including the IPL, World Test Championship final and multiple international tours — but the hamstring injury suffered for New South Wales last month has set him back again.
With the Ashes schedule moving quickly and conditions demanding, Australia may need to lean heavily on their fast-bowling depth unless Hazlewood’s injury update trends positively over the coming week.
