Hazlewood's 43 overs enough for Ashes

Josh Hazlewood has been pulled out of next week's round of Sheffield Shield matches, and will be joined by Jackson Bird in training for the Ashes.

NSW bowler Josh Hazlewood

Josh Hazlewood has been pulled from next week's Sheffield Shield round as he prepares for the Ashes. (AAP)

Jackson Bird has been drafted in as Australia's back-up bowling option, as Josh Hazlewood prepares to enter the Ashes with less than 50 competitive overs under his belt.

Hazlewood, on return from a side strain suffered in Bangladesh, has been pulled out of NSW's Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland.

Selectors and coaching staff have decided the 26-year-old will join Bird and fellow quicks Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins in training in Brisbane.

It means the quick will play in the first Test against England from November 23 at the Gabba having played just one first-class match this summer.

After breaking down mid-over against Bangladesh in August in the first Test, Hazlewood returned last month through Sydney grade cricket, bowling 10 overs for St George.

He played last weekend in the second round of the Sheffield Shield for NSW, twice claiming the key Western Australian scalps of Shaun and Mitchell Marsh as part of his six for the match across 33 overs.

He was due to play again this week for the Blues, while Starc and Cummins both went into camp, however that changed after a review of all bowlers at the end of the last domestic round.

Cricket Australia said on Thursday Hazlewood had been consulted over the decision to withdraw him, along with coaching staff, selectors and team performance staff.

Australian spinner Nathan Lyon will be left with the Blues, to finalise his preparations for the first Test, in the Shield fixture at Allan Border Oval in Brisbane.

Bird's call-up to the training squad represents a change of fortunes for the 30-year-old.

Bird, who last played in the 2016 Boxing Day Test, toured India earlier this year but did not get a game. He was then overlooked for the trip to Bangladesh.

Fellow quick James Pattinson has already been ruled out with a stress fracture in his back, while injuries have previously stopped Hazlewood, Starc and Cummins all playing a Test together.


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Source: AAP



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