Australia have won the First Ashes Test by nine wickets but are facing taking on England in Adelaide without key strike bowler Josh Hazlewood.
Hazlewood has flown home to Sydney after undergoing scans which revealed a side strain, making him unlikely to play in the day-night Second Test at Adelaide Oval starting on Thursday.
Two-Test 25-year-old quick Jhye Richardson looms as his likely replacement, while Michael Neser is also in contention after Player of the Match honours for Australia A in their tour match against the English Lions.
Hazlewood didn’t bowl in the final session on day three but did contribute as Australia took the final eight wickets to bowl out England for 297 on day four, easily chasing down the target.
“(It’s) nothing too serious but didn’t want it to turn into a huge injury,” Australia captain Pat Cummins said after the game.
“We don’t want to put him in jeopardy for the whole series so we’ll take our time.
“He’s a little bit sore so we’re just managing him through it’s a five-Test match summer and he’s a key for us, so we don’t want to blow him out on day two or three.”
Travis Head was named Player of the Match after his sensational 152 from 148 balls set up the victory for the Australians.
Australia have another headache with opening batsman David Warner nursing bruised ribs. Warner did not open in the second innings after his first innings’ 94.
Meanwhile, England are set to bring James Anderson and Stuart Broad in for the Second Test in Adelaide with expected swing-friendly conditions under lights.
