Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins have both taken important steps toward returning to Australia’s attack ahead of the remaining Ashes Tests, giving the hosts a major fast‑bowling boost.

Hazlewood Targets Adelaide Return

Hazlewood, who missed the Perth opener with a hamstring injury, bowled a red-ball spell at Cricket Central in Sydney while New South Wales were playing Tasmania in the Shield, signalling that his rehab has moved into the bowling phase. ​ Team management do not expect him back for the day-night Test at the Gabba, instead pencilling in the third Test in Adelaide—this year a traditional day game—as his likely comeback.

Head coach Andrew McDonald said they are confident he will feature at some stage in the series: “We expect him to take some part in the series,” though exact timing will depend on how he handles the next block of rehab and bowling workloads.

Cummins Builds Towards Pink-Ball Test

Cummins, sidelined from Perth by a back issue, was seen bowling with the pink ball in Sydney as he targets a return for the second Test at Brisbane’s Gabba. ​ McDonald described his latest session as looking “like a player nearing the completion of his rehabilitation”, with pace and intensity back to match levels, but stressed the focus is now on building soft‑tissue resilience so they do not “accelerate it too much” and risk a setback.

The schedule helps: there is an 11‑day gap between the first and second Tests after Perth finished inside two days, though the calendar tightens later with only four days between Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

Pink-Ball Quick Options: Neser, Bartlett, Richardson

Conditions in Brisbane are expected to favour fast bowlers again—ten wickets fell in one night session in a recent Shield game between Queensland and Victoria. ​ Xavier Bartlett shone there with 4/35 and a career-best 72, but with Cummins and Hazlewood nearing fitness he may have to wait for an opportunity.

Michael Neser, the reserve quick in Perth, is a strong contender for Brisbane on his home ground, having played both his previous Tests with the pink ball in Adelaide. ​ Selectors are also monitoring Jhye Richardson’s progress after shoulder surgery; he bowled 20 overs for a CA XI against the England Lions and reported that his shoulder is “feeling better and better each bowl,” framing the outing as a key step towards being ready for four- and five‑day cricket.

With Starc in rampant form, and Cummins and Hazlewood circling returns, Australia could soon field their full-strength pace trio again—just as the Ashes schedule tightens and the pressure on England’s batting intensifies.