Josh Hazlewood given the all-clear of fitness concerns however Abbott out of Test
Josh Hazlewood has taken 295 Test scalps with an average of 24.21 runs per wicket during his 76-Test career
The green light was given to Hazlewood to link up with the Australian team ahead of the opening Ashes match after an injury scare, however, teammate Abbott will miss the match
The two experienced muscle problems playing for their state team versus Victoria during Sheffield Shield action recently
Tests indicated Hazlewood (34) escaped muscle damage. The uncapped Abbott, 33, sustained a significant hamstring issue
Captain Pat Cummins will miss the opening Test, starting November 21, so the loss of another established pace bowler such as Hazlewood could have proven a serious concern
Abbott would have been unlikely to play in Perth, while Hazlewood will combine Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland forming the fast bowling unit
Cummins, who is recovering from spinal concerns, appears to be likely to comeback for the second Test beginning December 4 in Brisbane
Batter Steve Smith will lead Australia while Cummins is out
Similar to most Australian cricketers, Hazlewood is involved in ongoing fixtures of domestic cricket ahead of the Ashes
Until this match, he was absent from domestic first-class games for New South Wales since last season
He noticed discomfort in his posterior chain during the final stages of the opposition's batting recently and was substituted as a precaution
Neither Hazlewood nor Abbott came out to bat during their team's second batting effort as they lost in a substantial margin
"There's seven days from the Test series - typically prefer being cautious," stated the captain
"They needed to determine the exact situation before pushing it and potentially making anything worse"
"He seldom shows him cheerful, so it was good to witness his smile"
"He understands his physique really well. I think he was a little bit worried (and) wanted to get it checked out"
The bowler collected 57 international selections with the national team in white-ball cricket
Without Test experience Doggett is the other seamer in the squad, providing cover for the primary fast bowlers
