Hazlewood back bowling as Cummins trains with pink ball

Josh Hazlewood has allayed fears he could have missed the entire Ashes series by returning to bowling on Tuesday alongside regular Test skipper Pat Cummins in a major boost for Australia and the last thing England’s brittle top order would want to see.

A day after coach Andrew McDonald dismissed speculation Hazlewood would miss the series, the 34-year-old was on deck at Cricket NSW headquarters in Sydney on Tuesday morning.

Hazlewood was joined by Cummins, who bowled with a pink ball – a telling clue ahead of the day-night Test in Brisbane, beginning December 4. Hazlewood bowled with a red ball as he ramps up his recovery.

He failed to finish NSW’s most recent Sheffield Shield match against Victoria after pulling up with a hamstring issue.

While Cricket Australia initially played down concerns, Hazlewood was later ruled out of the opening Test, which Australia won inside two days by eight wickets.

Although Hazlewood remains unlikely to feature in Brisbane, his return to some form of bowling is an encouraging sign for a squad still waiting to see whether Cummins will play.

The captain travelled to Perth with the team despite not being available, partly to continue his bowling program but also in his leadership capacity.

Cummins and Hazlewood bowled in the outdoor nets at Sydney Olympic Park as NSW continued their Shield clash with Tasmania, before completing a short fitness block together.

The Blues would have loved the pair in state colours after slumping to another defeat – this time an innings and 58-run loss to Tasmania, who declared on 8-623 at Cricket Central thanks to centuries from Caleb Jewell (102) and Nikhil Chaudhary (163).

The Blues’ final partnership of Jack Edwards (38 off 137) and Liam Hatcher (eight off 79) batted for 28 overs searching for a draw on Tuesday afternoon before Riley Meredith claimed the last wicket to secure the first Sheffield Shield result at the venue.

NSW have gone four Shield matches without a win, including a 300-run loss to Victoria in the match when Hazlewood was injured.

Cummins has declared himself “half a chance” to play in Brisbane, while McDonald says a call will be made close to match day.

“I had a couple of good sessions in Perth … having a big day where I’d bowl around 10 overs then a couple of quieter days and then going again,” Cummins said on Fox on Saturday. “It’s on track and pulling up pretty well. I’m pretty hopeful.”

McDonald declined to detail Hazlewood’s rehabilitation plan on Monday but was optimistic regarding his involvement in the series. Hazlewood did not speak to reporters on Tuesday.

“I don’t think he’s out for the whole series, so I can put that one in front of you,” McDonald said.

“I don’t know where that speculation has begun, but he’s working through the first week of his rehab. Once he gets further down the track and we start to have some sort of rough timelines, then we’ll be in a position to communicate that.”

The return of Cummins and Hazlewood – who between them have taken 604 Test wickets – would give Australia the option of resting Mitchell Starc or Scott Boland if required. Cummins hasn’t played since the third Test against the West Indies in July.

There are eight full days off between the second and third Tests, the latter beginning December 17 at Adelaide Oval. But given England’s approach with the bat in Perth, it is unlikely next week’s pink-ball Test at the Gabba will last five days – provided rain doesn’t cause havoc, like it did last year in Australia’s draw with India.

Australia’s squad will travel to Brisbane from Sunday, while England’s players not involved in the Prime Minister’s XI match in Canberra will arrive on Wednesday.

Australia’s main training session before the Gabba Test is scheduled for next Tuesday, which should provide an indication on Cummins’ availability.

Selectors will name a squad later this week as they weigh up several decisions, including whether to retain Usman Khawaja and Nathan Lyon in the XI.

Travis Head’s match-winning century as a makeshift opener has increased pressure on Khawaja, while Lyon has done little wrong but may be squeezed if Australia opts for an extra quick or additional batting depth.

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