Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has voiced his ambition to achieve success overseas ahead of a lengthy stretch of Test cricket for the Australian squad, with sights set on series victories in South Africa, India, and the Ashes in England.
Australia is slated to play 14 Tests over the next eight months, starting with a two-Test series against Bangladesh in Darwin and Mackay.
Tours of South Africa and India follow a four-match home series against New Zealand, and Australia will also host England in the 150th Anniversary Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in March. Following that, the Ashes will take place later in the winter, and Australia, presently leading the World Test Championship table, might play in the final.
The renowned bowling trio of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon has achieved considerable success over the recent decade, highlighting Australia’s home dominance and the WTC victory in 2021-23, as well as securing away Ashes draws in 2019 and 2023.
As the team prepares for the Bangladesh series at Brisbane’s National Cricket Centre, Hazlewood cited the chance of international victory as a key motivator.” This group has been together for a long time – the majority of it, at least – and the big series are obviously England and India,” Hazlewood told reporters in Brisbane.
“I haven’t won in South Africa, so there’s three that are coming up…a few boxes to tick off for not just me, but the entire playing group.”
“That’s been a motivating aspect throughout this preparation, in the back of your mind, and even in the months preceding up to it. [They’re] some really significant Test series, and they’re all away, so it’s going to be difficult competition, but maybe we can pull it off.”
Josh Hazlewood may be in line for his first Test in thirteen months, having missed the Ashes last summer due to hamstring and Achilles issues.
Having never gone this long without playing a Test, he could face a shootout with Scott Boland for the third seamer position, with chief selector George Bailey implying that Boland has reduced the gap for selection.
Josh Hazlewood himself voiced a wish to play more with Boland, who has frequently been forced to sit out when all three of Australia’s frontline quicks are fit and available.
“I suppose [Boland and I have] only played one game together – at Edgbaston [in the 2023 Ashes] – and I’d want to play more with Scotty,” Josh Hazlewood remarked. “We’re clearly a little bit similar, but I believe there’s still a lot of distinctions in our bowling.”
Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser have also been training with the main squad in Brisbane in preparation for the Bangladesh series. The volume of Test cricket ahead may compel the hosts to dig deep into their reserves if necessary.
Josh Hazlewood complimented the team’s preparation for the Bangladesh series, which is an uncommon occurrence for Australia to host Tests in August. Josh Hazlewood and his fast-bowling teammates have trained extensively in Brisbane to prepare for multi-day cricket.
This is probably the first time we’ve had a lead-in to a Test without any cricket games,” Josh Hazlewood explained.
“So we’ve been able to dice them precisely how we want. It’s mainly been large days on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with some other activities thrown in around that.
Last week, we had back-to-back days (Tuesday and Wednesday), and I believe next week will be the same. You’re playing T20s, one-dayers, and travelling as you prepare for other Test series and contests, so it’s difficult to fit in those bowling sessions. This is specifically designed for a Test match and should be effective.
For the past few weeks, I’ve looked at it literally: ticking boxes and completing responsibilities. Next week is another tick, and after that, you can look at Darwin.”
The first Test against Bangladesh is set to begin in Darwin on August 13. If Josh Hazlewood is selected for the playing XI, he will attempt to become the ninth Australian bowler to reach 300 wickets in Tests, having already taken 295 wickets in the format.
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