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A Tactical Desire for Partnerships
The Australian Test landscape is shifting as the national side prepares for the upcoming clash against Bangladesh in Darwin. For Josh Hazlewood, the focus is not just on his own return to the squad, but on the potential for a long-term partnership with Scott Boland. After a frustrating period sidelined by injury, the 35-year-old fast bowler is vocal about his preference to work alongside his teammate rather than being pitted against him in a selection battle.
The Selection Dilemma
Historically, the combination of Australia’s top-tier quicks—Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland—has rarely been fielded together in unison. With the expected return of Nathan Lyon to the side for the Darwin Test, the squad balance will necessitate a choice. A spinner is deemed essential for the conditions, leaving Hazlewood and Boland as the primary candidates for one of the remaining pace slots. Despite this current hurdle, Hazlewood remains optimistic about the next 12 to 18 months, citing a packed schedule of 20 to 21 potential Test matches that will inevitably require a rotation of the entire pace battery.
“I’d love to play more with Scotty,” Hazlewood remarked during a training camp in Brisbane. “We’re obviously a little bit similar, but I think there’s still a lot of differences in our bowling. Every time he’s come in, he’s done unbelievably well. His career just keeps getting better and better the older he gets.”
Depth and Sustainability
The Australian fast-bowling unit is currently flush with talent. Beyond the core four, players like Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett are waiting in the wings. Hazlewood acknowledges that managing the workload of this group is the only way to navigate such an demanding period of international cricket. “I think there’s enough opportunities in the next 12 months, 18 months for us to play a lot of cricket hopefully together. We’ll have to lean on all six at some point,” he added.
Overcoming Injury Hurdles
Hazlewood’s path to the Darwin Test has been anything but conventional. Having not played a Test since July 2025, he has faced a string of injuries that have hampered his momentum. His recent track record shows a vulnerability in early-season fixtures, and he is now just five wickets shy of the 300-Test-scalp milestone. To mitigate future setbacks, selectors and medical staff have meticulously structured his preparation.
Unlike previous build-ups that involved a chaotic mix of T20 and one-day cricket, this preparation has been tailor-made for the long format. “This is probably the first time we’ve actually had a lead-in to a Test without any cricket in terms of games,” Hazlewood noted. By focusing on high-intensity training sessions that replicate the physical demands of back-to-back days in the field, he hopes to build the durability required for a grueling calendar.
Eyes on the Bigger Picture
While the immediate goal is the match against Bangladesh, Hazlewood is well aware of the monumental challenges ahead. The Australian squad is eyeing historic series wins in South Africa, India, and England—three of the toughest venues for any touring side. For a veteran like Hazlewood, these series represent the final boxes to tick in his decorated career.
“This group’s been together for quite a long time now,” he said. “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. That’s been a driving factor during this prep.” By taking it day-by-day and managing his fitness, Hazlewood hopes to be the reliable anchor the team needs to secure these elusive victories.
