Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is just five wickets away from reaching the milestone of 300 Test wickets. However, the experienced pacer says personal achievements are not on his mind as Australia prepare for a demanding schedule of 21 Test matches over the next year.
Hazlewood to join elite list
Hazlewood is set to return to Test cricket after a gap of 13 months when Australia face Bangladesh in the first Test in Darwin. He missed last summer’s successful Ashes campaign at home because of a hamstring injury followed by a calf problem.
If he reaches the 300-wicket mark in Darwin, Hazlewood will become only the seventh Australian fast bowler to achieve the feat, joining legends such as Dennis Lillee, Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.
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Away series remain the biggest motivation
While the milestone is within touching distance, Hazlewood said his attention is firmly on helping Australia succeed in the major overseas Test series coming up.
“I think every time you look ahead in sport it can bite you pretty quickly. I’ve always done that. I’ve looked at it like that literally day in day out for the last few weeks here, ticking boxes, getting workloads in. Next week’s another tick, and then I guess once you get through all that, then you look at Darwin. So everything else is a long way away. Just take it as it comes.
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Hazlewood eager to share the attack with Scott Boland
Australia’s packed Test calendar is expected to require careful workload management for its fast bowlers. Hazlewood believes there will be enough opportunities for several seamers to contribute and said he is looking forward to playing alongside Scott Boland more often.
Boland impressed during the Ashes while Hazlewood was sidelined, and the senior quick praised his teammate’s consistent performances.
Special preparation ahead of Test return
Hazlewood has spent the last few weeks training at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane, where the coaching staff designed sessions to closely match the physical demands of Test cricket.
Unlike previous series, where white-ball matches limited his red-ball preparation, he has been able to focus entirely on building the workload needed for long spells in Test matches.
Australia squad for Bangladesh Tests
Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald and Beau Webster.