Ashes 2015: Australia's Josh Hazlewood to miss fifth Test

Image: Josh Hazlewood will sit out Oval Test

Australia seamer Josh Hazlewood is to be rested for the fifth and final Investec Ashes Test at The Oval.

Hazlewood, 24, has taken 16 wickets at an average of 25.75 in the series despite the tourists surrendering the urn and going 3-1 down with a game to spare.

But Australia coach Darren Lehmann has opted to omit him from the side for the finale due to a heavy recent workload and unspecified "niggling problems".

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"Josh has played six Tests since the West Indies tour and the last nine Tests for Australia, as well as playing an important part in the World Cup," said Lehmann.

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"He has managed to get through this period without any major injury which is pleasing, though currently he does have some niggling problems that we would like to manage.

"As such, he was not considered for selection for the fifth Test. On his return to Australia his niggles will be investigated further and he will work with our coaches, and our medical and fitness staff to have him prepared for the next series he is selected to play in."

Image: Hazlewood celebrates taking wicket of Joe Root in the second Test

Pat Cummins is in line to deputise, having had severe injury issues of his own in the four years since his one and only Test in South Africa.

He took 3-64 in last week's rain-affected tour match against Northamptonshire to nudge ahead of veteran Peter Siddle, who went wicketless.

Watch the fifth Ashes Test from 10am, Thursday, Sky Sports Ashes. You can watch without a contract on NOW TV, while our Ashes Events Centre - the best of Sky Cricket's analysis at your fingertips - is available on our iPad app.

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