Josh Hazlewood cleared from injury but Abbott out of Test
Josh Hazlewood has taken 295 international wickets with an average of 24.21 across 76 Test matches
Hazlewood received clearance to link up with the Australian team ahead of the opening Ashes match after an injury scare, although compatriot the paceman has been ruled out
The two experienced muscle problems playing for New South Wales against Victoria in domestic cricket on Wednesday
Scans showed Hazlewood, 34 did not sustain muscle damage. Abbott, 33, who hasn't played Tests, has a moderate-level injury
Captain Pat Cummins is out of the opening Test, beginning on 21 November, so the loss of another experienced fast bowler in Hazlewood would have been a major blow
Abbott would have been not expected to participate at the Perth match, as Hazlewood prepares to team up Starc and Boland forming the fast bowling unit
Cummins, currently healing from back issues, appears to be likely to comeback during the next Test commencing December fourth
Batter Steve Smith will captain the side during the captain's recovery
Like many of Australian cricketers, the bowler took part in recent matches of domestic cricket ahead of the historic rivalry
Before this week, he hadn't featured a first-class match representing NSW in more than a year
He noticed discomfort in his hamstring during the final stages of the match during the match and left the field as a precaution
Both players came out to bat during their team's second batting effort as they lost in a substantial margin
"We have one week before the international cricket - always err on precautionary measures," said Cummins
"They wanted to find out what was happening prior to testing it and possibly causing the injury more severe"
"He seldom shows him upbeat, so it was good observing his positive demeanor"
"He knows his body extremely well. I think he was a little bit worried (and) wanted to get it checked out"
Abbott earned 57 international selections with the national team in ODI and T20 cricket
The yet-to-debut Brendan Doggett represents additional pace options among the selections, offering support to the main pace trio
