Blow for the hosts as injury rules key bowler out of Ashes opener

AUSTRALIA have suffered another major injury blow ahead of the first Ashes Test, with key man Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the series opener.

- By Rory Dollard

While England quick Mark Wood was given the all-clear after experiencing tightness in his left hamstring, Hazlewood has joined Baggy Greens captain Pat Cummins on the sidelines after pulling up for New South Wales with a similar complaint.

Hazlewood was hastily cleared by Cricket Australia just hours after the issue first arose on Wednesday but further assessments have now shown a muscle strain and he has been removed from the squad just six days before the series opener at Perth's Optus Stadium.

That means two of Australia's much-vaunted 'big three' are out of the game, at a cost of 604 Test wickets, leaving Mitchell Starc as the last man standing.

Scott Boland was already inked in to deputise for Cummins, who is experiencing back pain, and with reserve seamer Sean Abbott also injured this week the uncapped Brendan Doggett looks set to step up.

Veteran Michael Neser has also been added to the squad as cover, with the 35-year-old nudging the average age of a wizened squad up even further.