Ace Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood talked about how many Tests he is looking forward to play in the upcoming Ashes 2023 series in UK against England which begins in Edgbaston on June 16, keeping in mind his recent bout with injuries.
Hazlewood has approached very cautiously for the Test Championship final following two years during which he had only played four Test matches. He was forced to miss the final after departing the IPL early due to side pain after suffering an Achilles injury during the India tour due to soft run-ups at the SCG in his prior comeback Test in January.
One of Hazlewood (222 Test wickets at 25.83), Mitchell Starc (310 wickets at 27.64) or Scott Boland (33 wickets at 14.57) will not make Australia’s side on Friday, with the decision likely to be between the two senior quicks after Boland’s impact in the World Test Championship final against India added to his fairytale start in Test cricket.
“If We Go Back A Few Years, I Would Have Said [I Expected To Play] All Six [Tests]”- Josh Hazlewood
When James Pattinson and Peter Siddle joined Pat Cummins in the starting XI four years ago, neither Hazlewood nor Starc were selected.
Hazlewood, who was injured and missed the last ODI World Cup, continued to play the next four matches, collecting 20 wickets at a strike rate of 21.85 in the 2-2 draw that saw Australia retain the trophy.
“If we go back a few years, I would have said [I expected to play] all six [Tests]. But I guess it’s a little bit different now, based on the last two years of history. I think three would be nice pass and four is probably a tick. Any more than that is great. Any less then I am probably a little disappointed again.
But I think when you have that depth for each game you [can] really go as hard as you can and then reassess after the game because you always have someone of high quality sitting on the pine and ready to go. So it’s a great position to be in for the team,” Hazlewood told ESPNCricinfo.
With 222 Test wickets and 36 at 23.58 in England, Hazlewood does not need to prove his credentials.