Australia has suffered another blow ahead of the Ashes opener against England after fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was ruled out due to a hamstring injury on Saturday, further weakening their bowling attack after the loss of captain Pat Cummins.

Hazlewood went to the hospital for scans on a possible hamstring injury during a domestic match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday, but was initially cleared of a strain and was set to travel to Perth for the first Ashes test.

However, later tests confirmed a hamstring injury for the 34-year-old, who will be replaced by Michael Neser.

"Early imaging can occasionally underestimate low-grade muscle injuries," Cricket Australia said in a statement.

"As a result, Hazlewood will not travel to Perth and has been ruled out (of the first Ashes test

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