Hazlewood may be out of Ashes contention after being declared 'out of action for several weeks'

Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood may reportedly be out of contention for forthcoming winter Ashes series after he was declared out of action for several weeks with shin soreness.

Although the rising quick was reportedly one of eight fast bowlers on Cricket Australia's (CA) 'watch list', who were having their workloads monitored so selectors could pick them for the Ashes, he may join the list of injured paceman if he does not recover from his injury before the series end.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, although Hazlewood was rested for the New South Wales' Sheffield Shield game against Victoria, as per instructions from CA's high performance unit but he was supposed to play grade cricket in Sydney on Saturday before the soreness flared up.

Confirming Hazlewood's position, Cricket NSW said that he is likely to miss the next few weeks until he has fully recovered, with the report adding that the young fast bowler is unlikely to be available until the third Test in Perth at the earliest, after it was suggested he had been placed on standby for the second Test in Adelaide.

The report mentioned that Australia's much-vaunted depth in fast bowling has already been tested, with Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson, Jackson Bird and Pat Cummins all recovering from back stress injuries.