Australia’s fast bowler Josh Hazlewood remains committed to his international cricket career across all formats, even after being sidelined for the entire Ashes series due to injury. At 34 years old, Hazlewood is among several Australian players who have been speculated to be nearing the end of their Test careers.
His participation in the Ashes was hindered by a hamstring injury that struck just before the series began, further complicated by an Achilles issue when he attempted to return to bowling. Despite these setbacks, Hazlewood expressed a strong desire to continue representing Australia in both red and white-ball formats.
In an interview with Sydney’s Daily Telegraph, Hazlewood emphasized his physical readiness, stating, “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 acknowledged that while he may miss some games, he enjoys the unique challenges posed by each format, noting that the variety keeps the game exciting for him.
With three Tests lost to injury during the Ashes series, Hazlewood is now focusing on his recovery and preparation for Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup campaign in India and Sri Lanka slated for early next year. He reflected on the challenge of returning from injury, noting, “Once you’re injured mid-series or just before a series starts, you’re chasing your tail a lot of the time.” He mentioned that while he could have potentially returned for one or two Tests with quick recovery, it would not be ideal for his performance.
Hazlewood’s determination to return to cricket not only showcases his passion for the game but also highlights the resilience of athletes as they overcome injuries. His focus now shifts to achieving peak fitness, with anticipation for the upcoming tournaments wherein he aims to contribute significantly to Australia’s success.