After taking six wickets in the opening Test match against Bangladesh in Darwin, Josh Hazlewood became the seventh Australian bowler to surpass 300 Test wickets. The 35-year-old needed five wickets to hit the milestone going into the game, but he exceeded it, bringing his career total to 301.
Hazlewood is among the current Australian players who have surpassed 300 wickets in Test cricket, along with colleagues Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc. With this accomplishment, he joins a select group of bowlers in Australian cricket history.
It is something that people reflect on when their careers are coming to a close, he continued. The modest reaction was consistent with his reputation as a bowler who prioritises performance over personal achievements.
In comparison to other Australians in the 300-wicket club, what is Hazlewood’s bowling average?
Only three of the nine Australians who have claimed 300 or more Test wickets have a bowling average higher than Hazlewood’s 24.02. With an average of 21.64, Glenn McGrath tops the group, followed by Dennis Lillee at 23.92 and Cummins at 22.21. Hazlewood is ahead of the other five club members, ranking fourth on that list with a score of 24.02.
The numbers highlight how regularly Hazlewood has taken wickets throughout the course of a lengthy Test career, working against various batting lineups and in a variety of circumstances. His average is comparable to some of Australia’s best renowned pace bowlers.
Before the Bangladesh Test, what was Hazlewood’s availability and selection status?
Prior to this game, Hazlewood had only appeared in six of Australia’s previous 14 Test matches. Due to injuries, he had not played any Test cricket in the year preceding the Bangladesh series. Due to his limited availability, there was discussion about whether or not Scott Boland should be chosen for the first Test in Darwin.
Despite these reservations, the selectors supported Hazlewood, and he responded with a six-wicket effort that dispelled any doubts about his form and health. He finished with 301 career Test wickets after reaching and surpassing the milestone in a single innings after beginning the game five wickets shy of 300. As Australia advances in the series against Bangladesh, the way he returned will bolster his argument for ongoing selection.
