Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is on the cusp of a significant Test return, eyeing the upcoming series against Bangladesh in Darwin. The seasoned paceman, who has been sidelined since July 2025 due to hamstring and calf injuries, expresses a keen desire to share the field more often with fellow quick, Scott Boland, rather than competing for a spot in the starting XI. This sentiment highlights the depth and competitive nature within Australia’s potent bowling unit as they prepare for a demanding international schedule.
The Elusive Partnership: Hazlewood and Boland
Hazlewood, now 35, has not featured in a Test match since a day-night encounter in Jamaica in July 2025. In that fixture, conditions allowed Australia to field an unprecedented four-pronged pace attack, featuring Hazlewood, Boland, captain Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc, without the need for a specialist spinner. This rare alignment showcased the immense talent available to the selectors, but such opportunities have been few and far between.
When all four premier fast bowlers have been fit and available, and the inclusion of a spinner like Nathan Lyon has been deemed necessary, Hazlewood and Boland have played together only once. This solitary occasion was at Edgbaston in 2023, where Mitchell Starc was the bowler to make way. This infrequent pairing underscores the selection dilemma faced by the Australian management, particularly as they balance pace, swing, and spin options depending on pitch conditions and opposition.
The return of Nathan Lyon from injury adds another layer of complexity to the selection puzzle. Given the expectation for a spinner to play a crucial role on the Darwin pitch, it is almost certain that either Hazlewood or Boland will miss out on the starting XI for the first Test against Bangladesh, scheduled to commence on August 13. Despite this immediate challenge, Hazlewood remains optimistic about playing alongside Boland over the next 12 to 18 months, citing Australia’s packed schedule of potentially 20 or 21 Test matches and the increasing reliance on a broader group of bowlers.
“I’d love to play more with Scotty,” Hazlewood remarked during a recent training camp in Brisbane. “We’re obviously a little bit similar in our approach, but I think there are still a lot of differences in our bowling styles that complement each other. Every time he’s come in, he’s done unbelievably well. His career just keeps getting better and better the older he gets.” Hazlewood emphasized the belief that the sheer volume of upcoming cricket would create opportunities for both pacers. “I think there’s enough opportunities in the next 12 months, 18 months for us to play a lot of cricket hopefully together, that’d be a nice one to tick off.” He also acknowledged the wider pool of fast bowling talent. “But I think as four quicks, we’ve got Ness [Michael Neser] and Doggy [Brendan Doggett] there as well. So I think we’ll have to lean on all six at some point in the next sort of 18 months.”
Navigating Injury and Strategic Preparation
Among Australia’s sextet of fast-bowling options, Hazlewood arguably finds himself in the most vulnerable position heading into this unprecedented run of Test matches. His recent injury history is a concern, having suffered significant setbacks in the first Test or first-class game of four of the last five home summers. Consequently, he has participated in only six of Australia’s last 14 Tests, and even within those, he sustained injuries midway through two of them.
Despite these challenges, Hazlewood remains a cornerstone of Australia’s long-term plans. He is just five wickets shy of reaching the prestigious milestone of 300 Test scalps, maintaining an impressive career average of just 24.21. Recognising his importance, chair of selectors George Bailey recently confirmed that Hazlewood, in conjunction with Australia’s coaching and medical staff, has implemented a refined preparation strategy over recent months. This involved resting him from two white-ball tours to Pakistan and Bangladesh following his IPL commitments, a deliberate effort to mitigate the risk of further injuries.
“I think this is probably the first time we’ve actually had a lead in to a Test without any cricket in terms of games,” Hazlewood explained, detailing the new approach. “It’s been big days, Tuesdays, Thursdays mostly, with some other stuff filtered in around that, and then last week we had a few back-to-back days, Tuesday, Wednesday, and again next week I think back-to-back.” This tailored preparation contrasts sharply with previous routines. “Leading into other Test series and Test matches, you’re playing T20, you’re playing one-dayers, you’re travelling, so it’s tough to fit those bowling sessions in. This has been sort of tailor-made for a Test match, which is I think should work out well.” The focus, he noted, is on replicating match intensity. “It’s just trying to replicate a day in the field of Test cricket. Really, it’s bowling multiple spells in a day. It’s bowling back-to-back days.”
Focusing on the Present with an Eye on Historic Tours
Given the capricious nature of his recent injury record, Hazlewood maintains a pragmatic and focused approach, refraining from looking beyond the immediate challenge of the first Test against Bangladesh. This day-by-day mindset is crucial for managing expectations and physical demands.
“I think every time you look ahead in sport it can bite you pretty quickly,” Hazlewood cautioned. “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.”
Despite this disciplined focus on the present, Hazlewood acknowledged that the broader team is acutely aware of the monumental opportunities awaiting them over the next 12 months. The prospect of rare away Test series victories against formidable opponents like South Africa, India, and England, all within a year, serves as a powerful motivator for the squad.
“This group’s been together for quite a long time now, the majority of it, anyway,” Hazlewood reflected. “The big series are obviously England and India. I haven’t won in South Africa either, so there’s three that are coming up that are a few boxes to tick off there for not just me but from this whole playing group.” This ambition has been a driving force behind the team’s rigorous preparation. “I guess that’s been a driving factor during this prep, sort of in the back of your head, and even the months leading into it. Some real big Test series, and they’re all away, obviously those big ones. Tough competition, and hopefully we get the job done.” This blend of individual recovery and collective ambition defines the current atmosphere within the Australian cricket camp as they prepare for a challenging yet potentially historic period of Test cricket.