Josh Hazlewood given the all-clear from injury however Abbott out of Test
Hazlewood's career includes 295 Test scalps with an average of 24.21 runs per wicket in 76 Tests
Josh Hazlewood has been cleared to link up with the Aussie lineup ahead of the opening Ashes match following fitness concerns, but fellow pace bowler Abbott will miss the match
Each encountered hamstring issues while representing their state team versus Victoria in the Sheffield Shield recently
Tests indicated the 34-year-old Hazlewood escaped tissue injury. The uncapped Abbott, 33, has a moderate-level injury
Captain Pat Cummins is out of the initial match, starting November 21, so the loss of another experienced fast bowler in Hazlewood could have proven a serious concern
Abbott would have been unlikely to play during the Western Australia Test, while Hazlewood will combine fellow quicks Starc and Boland as the primary pace attack
The captain, rehabilitating from a back injury, is thought to be on track to return for the second Test commencing December fourth
Top-order player Smith will lead Australia while Cummins is out
Like many of Aussie squad members, Hazlewood participated in the current round of domestic cricket ahead of the Ashes
Prior to recently, he hadn't featured domestic first-class games for New South Wales since last season
He noticed discomfort in his leg muscle during the final stages of Victoria's second innings recently exiting the play taking preventive measures
Neither Hazlewood nor Abbott came out to bat during the follow-on innings during their defeat by 300 runs
"We have one week until the Test matches - typically prefer being cautious," said Cummins
"They needed to determine the exact situation prior to testing it and potentially making the injury more severe"
"Uncommon to see him cheerful, so it was good observing his positive demeanor"
"He knows his body thoroughly. It seemed he felt slightly anxious (and desired it checked out"
Abbott earned 57 appearances for Australia in white-ball cricket
Without Test experience the pace bowler provides bowling backup among the selections, providing cover for Starc, Boland and Hazlewood
