Josh Hazlewood is racing the clock to play a role in the Ashes series after another injury speed bump on his road back to the bowling crease.
It has been a case of one step forward two steps back for the 34-year-old paceman, who had been making positive steps in his return from a hamstring injury, sustained while playing for NSW against Victoria in the Sheffield Shield.
Hazlewood was due to join the Test side in Brisbane this week to continue his recovery, but stayed in Sydney instead.
"Josh Hazlewood reported achilles soreness this week during his rehabilitation from a recent hamstring injury," a Cricket Australia spokesperson said in a statement on Friday.
"It is a low-grade issue, and he is expected to recommence running and bowling next week."
Australia are facing the reality that their first-choice pace trio of Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc may not play together this series.
Hazlewood had been running and bowling in the nets in Sydney with fellow injured paceman Cummins just 10 days ago.
He was bowling with a red ball, not a pink one, in a sign he was pushing for the third Test in Adelaide, which starts on December 17.
That timeline is now looking more unlikely for Hazlewood, although there is better news on Cummins, who was close to playing in the second Test in progress in Brisbane.
Chairman of selectors George Bailey confirmed Cummins was a chance of playing, only withdrawing on match eve due to the lingering impact of a back injury.
Bailey confirmed Cummins would be fit to play in Adelaide, although the Gabba Test had proven a bridge too far.
"He could've played, but there would have been some restrictions around the overs," Bailey said.
"Now he's into that mode where it's back-to-back bowling days.
"It's one of those ones where the longer (recovery) is better."
Cummins, speaking on Channel 7, was bullish about his Adelaide chances.
"(I was) very close," he said.
"We were umming and aahing. It's still quite high-risk. It was all feeling a little bit cute, so we just thought, you know what, let's push it back. Should be right for Adelaide."
Bailey said Nathan Lyon, dropped for the second Test, would play at Adelaide Oval.
Lyon was "filthy" to be left out at the Gabba, but Cummins said it was not personal.
"We always do decisions collectively. That's selectors," he said.
"We kind of got together and you map out what XI you think is going to win the game. Unfortunately it wasn't Gaz's week this time, but Ness (Michael Neser) came in and did a fantastic job that first innings."
With Cummins to join Starc, and most likely Scott Boland, in Adelaide, the positions of pacemen Brendan Doggett and Neser will come under most scrutiny for the next Test.
Starc has been the mainstay of the attack in the absence of his two esteemed colleagues, snaring 16 wickets at an average of 11.75.
Cummins also had some positive news on Usman Khawaja, who was left out of the Gabba Test with a back issue.
"He's had a couple of bats the last couple of days. I asked him yesterday and he said he's starting to feel better each day," Cummins said.
"He feels close, a little bit of awareness but not far away."
