Australia’s fast bowler Josh Hazlewood remains dedicated to his international cricket career across all formats despite facing a challenging spell on the sidelines throughout the Ashes series due to injury. At 34 years old, he is among several Australian players facing speculation about the twilight of their Test careers.
Hazlewood’s participation in the highly anticipated Ashes series was thwarted by a hamstring injury that occurred just before it started, which was then complicated by an Achilles issue during his attempts to return to bowling. Yet, Hazlewood is unwavering in his commitment to play for Australia in both Test matches and limited-overs formats.
In a recent interview with Sydney’s Daily Telegraph, Hazlewood expressed confidence in his physical condition, saying, “Yeah absolutely, my body still feels as strong as ever. It’s just little things here and there that creep in. I’m still determined to play three formats as best I can.” He emphasized that while injury may cause him to miss games, the distinct challenges of each format keep him engaged and excited about the sport he loves.
Having missed three Tests during the Ashes due to injury, Hazlewood is now focused on recovery as he gears up for Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup campaign set to take place in India and Sri Lanka in early 2024. He candidly addressed the trials of returning from injury, stating, “Once you’re injured mid-series or just before a series starts, you’re chasing your tail a lot of the time.” Although he may have had the option to return for a match or two with a swift recovery, he acknowledged that it wouldn’t be optimal for his performance.
Hazlewood’s unwavering commitment not only underscores his passion for cricket but also reflects the resilience athletes exhibit in overcoming injuries. With his eyes set on achieving peak fitness, Hazlewood looks forward to the upcoming tournaments, where he aims to play a significant role in Australia’s success, bringing hope and anticipation to his fans and teammates alike.