Josh Hazlewood has been the seventh Australian bowler to surpass 300 Test wickets, after taking six in the opening Test against Bangladesh in Darwin. The 35-year-old went into the encounter needing five wickets to reach the milestone and exceeded it, bringing his career total to 301.
Hazlewood joins Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc as active Australian players who have taken 300 wickets in Test cricket. His achievement places him within a tiny but notable group of bowlers in Australian cricket history.
He noted that it is something that people reflect about at the conclusion of their careers. The quiet response was in keeping with his reputation as a bowler who prioritises performance over personal achievements.
How does Hazlewood’s bowling average compare to that of other Australians who have taken 300 wickets?
Only three of the nine Australians with 300 or more Test wickets have a better bowling average than Hazlewood’s 24.02. Glenn McGrath tops the group with a 21.64 average, followed by Cummins at 22.21 and Dennis Lillee at 23.92. Hazlewood’s performance of 24.02 places him fourth on the list, ahead of the remaining five club members.
The stats show how regularly Hazlewood has taken wickets across a long Test career, in a variety of situations and against diverse batting lineups. His average is comparable to some of Australia’s most well-known pace bowlers.
What was Hazlewood’s availability and selection status prior to the Bangladesh Test?
Hazlewood had only appeared in six of Australia’s last 14 Tests prior to this match, and had not played any Test cricket in the year preceding the Bangladesh series due to injuries. His limited availability sparked debate about whether he should be selected for the first Test in Darwin, with Scott Boland being considered as a substitute.
Despite these misgivings, the selectors backed Hazlewood, who responded with a six-wicket effort that put any doubts about his fitness and form to rest.
Having begun the match five wickets shy of 300, he reached and eclipsed the mark in a single innings, finishing with 301 career Test wickets. The manner of his return will help his case for continuing selection as Australia moves thru the series against Bangladesh.
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