Hazlewood given the all-clear from fitness concerns but Abbott out of Test
Josh Hazlewood has taken 295 international wickets at an average of 24.21 runs per wicket in 76 Tests
The green light was given to Hazlewood to become part of Australia's squad for the first Ashes Test after an injury scare, however, teammate Abbott will miss the match
Each encountered hamstring issues during their match for NSW in the Victoria clash in domestic cricket on Wednesday
Tests indicated the 34-year-old Hazlewood escaped a muscle strain. The 33-year-old Abbott, yet to debut, has a significant hamstring issue
Captain Pat Cummins is unavailable for the first Test, commencing later this month, so the loss of another experienced fast bowler such as Hazlewood would have been a major blow
Abbott would have been unlikely to play during the Western Australia Test, while Hazlewood will combine Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland forming the fast bowling unit
Cummins, currently healing from spinal concerns, appears to be scheduled to reappear during the next Test commencing December fourth
Batter Steve Smith will lead Australia while Cummins is out
Like many of Aussie squad members, the bowler took part in recent matches of state games ahead of the England series
Until this match, he was absent from red-ball cricket representing NSW in more than a year
He felt tightness in his posterior chain during the final stages of the opposition's batting on Wednesday and left the field taking preventive measures
Neither Hazlewood nor Abbott participated in batting for their team's second batting effort as they lost by 300 runs
"We're a week away until the Test matches - we consistently choose the side of caution," commented Cummins
"They needed to determine what was happening ahead of risking and possibly causing anything worse"
"It's rare to get him chipper, therefore it was positive observing his positive demeanor"
"He knows his body extremely well. He appeared a little bit worried (seeking to obtain medical assessment"
Abbott earned 57 caps for Australia in ODI and T20 cricket
The yet-to-debut the pace bowler represents additional pace options among the selections, offering support to Starc, Boland and Hazlewood
