Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, part of Australia's pace attacking option with Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, is behind his preferred fitness schedule and will miss the opening round of Sheffield Shield matches ahead of the home Ashes series, as he continues his recovery from a side strain suffered in Bangladesh. There are three Shield rounds scheduled before the first Test against England at the Gabba on November 23.

Hazlewood's absence will put him a match behind Cummins and Mitchell Starc in their Ashes preparations, and potentially open a mystery for selectors in terms of how much he will bowl in the second and third Shield rounds. "The side is really good. I've been on the full run the last three or four sessions, so getting back to 100%. I'm probably about 85-90%. The timing was a bit unfortunate but it's given me a chance to freshen up and get some good work in the gym and on the running track. I'm feeling nice and fit. It'll be good to put everything together in club cricket - bowl 10-12 overs; the field for a couple of hours." Ashes test series start from 23 of November as both teams get ready for the most prestigious trophy in cricket history.

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