Hazlewood cleared from injury but Abbott ruled out of Ashes Test
Josh Hazlewood has taken 295 wickets at an average of 24.21 during his 76-Test career
Josh Hazlewood has been cleared to link up with the Australian team for the first Ashes Test after an injury scare, although compatriot Abbott will miss the match
Each encountered hamstring injuries during their match for NSW versus Victoria during Sheffield Shield action this past Wednesday
Medical examinations revealed Hazlewood, 34 escaped tissue injury. Abbott, 33, who hasn't played Tests, sustained a "moderate grade" injury
Team captain Cummins is out of the first Test, beginning on 21 November, so the loss of another experienced fast bowler in Hazlewood might have represented a serious concern
Abbott was unlikely to play in Perth, with Hazlewood set to join Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland as the specialist seamers
Cummins, currently healing from a back injury, appears to be on track to return for the second Test in Brisbane starting on 4 December
Batter Steve Smith takes over leadership in Cummins' absence
Following other Aussie squad members, the bowler took part in recent matches of state games in preparation for the historic rivalry
Before this week, he was absent from domestic first-class games with his state team for over twelve months
He felt tightness in his leg muscle towards the end of Victoria's second innings recently and left the field for safety reasons
Both players participated in batting for the follow-on innings during their defeat by three hundred runs
"We're a week away until the Test matches - we consistently choose the side of caution," said Cummins
"They wanted to find out what was happening prior to testing it and possibly causing the condition"
"Uncommon to see him upbeat, so it was good to see him smiling"
"He understands his physique thoroughly. He appeared a little bit worried (seeking to obtain professional evaluation"
Abbott earned 57 appearances with the national team in limited-overs formats
The yet-to-debut Brendan Doggett provides bowling backup within the team, providing cover for the primary fast bowlers
