Ahead of an extended period of Test cricket for the Australian squad, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has stated that he wants to succeed abroad. He has his sights set on winning series in South Africa, India, and the Ashes in England.
Over the following eight months, Australia will play 14 Test matches, starting with a two-Test series against Bangladesh in Darwin and Mackay. A four-match home series against New Zealand is followed by tours of South Africa and India. In March of next year, Australia will host England in the 150th Anniversary Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia, who are presently leading the World Test Championship standings, may also play in the final before the Ashes later in the winter.
In addition to securing away Ashes draws in 2019 and 2023, the renowned bowling trio of Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon has had significant of success over the past ten years, highlighting Australia’s home dominance and the WTC victory in 2021–2023.
Hazlewood stated that the possibility of success abroad is a major source of motivation as the team intensifies preparations for the Bangladesh series at Brisbane’s National Cricket Centre. Speaking to reporters in Brisbane, Hazlewood stated, “This group has been together for quite a long time—the majority of it, anyway—and the big series are obviously England and India.”
“I haven’t won in South Africa either, so there are three that are approaching—a few things that need to be checked off for this entire playing group as well as for myself.
In the back of your mind, during this preparation, and even in the months preceding it, that has been a motivating force. There are some really important Test series, and they’re all away, so the competition is fierce. Hopefully, we can win.”
After missing the Ashes last summer due to hamstring and Achilles ailments, Hazlewood may be eligible for his first Test in thirteen months. He might be in a shootout with Scott Boland for the third seamer’s slot because he has never gone this long without playing a Test. Chief selector George Bailey suggested that Boland had closed the selection gap.
Hazlewood, who has frequently had to sit out when all three of Australia’s top quicks have been healthy and available, stated that he would like to play more with Boland.
Hazlewood remarked, “I think [Boland and I] have only played one game together, at Edgbaston [in the 2023 Ashes], and I’d love to play more with Scotty.” “I believe there are still a lot of differences in our bowling, even though we are obviously somewhat similar.”
Prior to the Bangladesh series, Australia also had Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett train with the main team in Brisbane. The hosts may need to draw heavily from their reserves due to the magnitude of Test cricket that lies ahead.
Hazlewood praised the team’s preparation for the Bangladesh series, which is Australia’s first time hosting Test matches in August. In order to prepare for the rigours of multi-day cricket, Hazlewood and his fast-bowling teammates have spent extended periods of time in Bris2bane.
Hazlewood remarked, “This is probably the first time we’ve had a lead-up to a Test without any cricket in terms of games.”
As a result, we’ve been able to precisely chop them apart. Tuesdays and Thursdays have been the busiest days, with a little bit of other stuff thrown in. We had a couple back-to-back days last week, Tuesday and Wednesday, and I believe we will have back-to-back days again next week. It’s difficult to get those bowling practices in before other Test series and Test matches because you’re playing T20, playing one-dayers, and travelling.
This is specifically designed for a Test match, thus it should be successful. For the past few weeks, I’ve literally viewed it as day-in, day-out: completing tasks and checking boxes. Another tick is due next week, and when you’ve finished all of that, you look at Darwin.”
On August 13, the first Test match against Bangladesh is set to start in Darwin. Hazlewood, who now has 295 wickets in Test cricket, will aim to become the ninth Australian bowler to reach the 300-wicket milestone if he is selected for the playing XI.
