Josh Hazlewood given the all-clear of fitness concerns however Sean Abbott ruled out of Test

Josh Hazlewood has been cleared to join the Australian team ahead of the opening Ashes match post-injury worries, but fellow pace bowler Sean Abbott will miss the match

The two experienced hamstring issues playing for New South Wales in the Victoria clash in domestic cricket this past Wednesday

Tests indicated the 34-year-old Hazlewood avoided a muscle strain. The 33-year-old Abbott, yet to debut, sustained a "moderate grade" injury

Team captain Cummins is unavailable for the initial match, starting November 21, meaning the absence of a key pace option such as Hazlewood could have proven a serious concern

Abbott was not expected to participate during the Western Australia Test, as Hazlewood prepares to team up fellow quicks Starc and Boland as the specialist seamers

Cummins, currently healing from spinal concerns, appears to be on track to return for the Brisbane match beginning December 4 in Brisbane

Top-order player Smith takes over leadership in Cummins' absence

Following other Aussie squad members, Hazlewood participated in recent matches of Sheffield Shield matches building up to the historic rivalry

Prior to recently, he hadn't featured domestic first-class games with his state team for over twelve months

He experienced stiffness in his leg muscle during the final stages of the match during the match and was substituted as a precaution

The two bowlers participated in batting for their team's second batting effort as they lost in a substantial margin

"There's seven days until the Test matches - we consistently choose precautionary measures," commented Cummins

"The medical staff sought to identify what was happening before pushing it and possibly causing anything worse"

"He seldom shows him chipper, therefore it was positive to witness his smile"

"He understands his physique extremely well. He appeared a little bit worried (and) wanted to get professional evaluation"

Abbott earned 57 appearances with the national team in ODI and T20 cricket

Without Test experience the pace bowler is the other seamer within the team, providing cover for the primary fast bowlers