Australia received encouraging news as Josh Hazlewood returned to the nets on Tuesday, recovering from a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the opening Ashes Test in Perth. Hazlewood’s comeback is a key boost for the Australian pace attack as the team looks to strengthen its bowling options for the rest of the series.

Meanwhile, Pat Cummins was seen bowling with a pink ball at Cricket Central in Sydney as he continues his recovery from a back injury. Cummins aims to play in the day-night Ashes Test at the Gabba and is gradually building up his fitness and workload under close supervision. Both players trained while New South Wales competed in their Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania.

Hazlewood was bowling with a red ball, indicating his immediate focus is on fitness and technique. He is not expected to play at the Gabba, with Adelaide now set as his likely return venue for the day Test. Australia coach Andrew McDonald expressed confidence in Hazlewood’s availability later in the series. “I know that he'll be available at some point during the series,” McDonald said. “We’ve got some early rehab to complete, but we expect him to take part in the series.”

Cummins has made noticeable progress, having impressed in net sessions in Perth before the opening Test. McDonald said the key now is building resilience in Cummins’ back while maintaining bowling intensity. The selectors will ensure Cummins can handle the workload of Test cricket, even if matches in the current series may not always last the full five days.

The Ashes schedule features well-spaced early Tests, but the gap shortens later in the series. After Adelaide, there are just four days between the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and the New Year’s Test in Sydney if matches extend to five days. The day-night element at Brisbane adds another challenge, with the pink ball likely creating fast-paced, high-intensity sessions.

In recent Sheffield Shield matches, Queensland and Victoria saw ten wickets fall during a single night session, highlighting how quickly results can occur under lights. Young pacer Xavier Bartlett impressed with 4 for 35 in the second innings and a career-best 72 with the bat, proving he could be an additional pace option if Hazlewood and Cummins play. Michael Neser remains a backup bowler and has experience with pink-ball Tests.

Selectors also hope Jhye Richardson will return later in the series after shoulder surgery. He recently bowled 20 overs for the Cricket Australia XI against England Lions at Lilac Hill and will feature for Australia A in Brisbane next week. Richardson said the session was valuable for physical preparation. “The shoulder’s feeling very good, and it’s all part of the process to be ready for four and five-day cricket,” he added.

With Hazlewood, Cummins, and potentially Richardson returning, Australia’s pace attack looks well-positioned to challenge England in the remaining Ashes Tests. The combination of recovery, training, and careful workload management ensures that Australia can field a strong bowling unit while minimizing injury risks.

The team continues to focus on building fitness, match readiness, and tactical preparation, giving Australian fans optimism for a competitive and well-balanced side in the Ashes series.