Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has praised England’s batting unit ahead of the Ashes 2025, singling out Joe Root and Harry Brook for their exceptional
Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood is one of the most consistent fast bowlers in modern cricket. Known for his accuracy, bounce, and relentless line, he has carved a unique identity in Australia’s pace attack. Whether it’s a red-ball Test in England or a high-pressure IPL match, Josh Hazlewood delivers with remarkable discipline.
In this detailed guide, we explore Josh Hazlewood’s cricket journey, major performances, and records. We’ll also look into his career statistics, personal traits, and latest news updates.
Quick Facts About Josh Hazlewood
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Josh Reginald Hazlewood |
| Date of Birth | January 8, 1991 |
| Birthplace | Tamworth, New South Wales, AUS |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast-medium |
| Batting Style | Left-handed |
| Role | Bowler |
| Teams | Australia, NSW, RCB, CSK |
Early Life and Background
Josh Hazlewood was born in Tamworth, a regional town in New South Wales. From a young age, he was passionate about sports. Cricket, however, stood out as his natural calling. Interestingly, Hazlewood made headlines as a teenager when he became the youngest fast bowler to play for New South Wales.
His calm personality and hunger to improve helped him grow into a top-class bowler. Hazlewood looked up to Glenn McGrath and later developed a similar bowling discipline.
Domestic and Youth Career
Josh Hazlewood’s domestic journey started at just 17 years of age. He made his debut for New South Wales in 2008. Though young, he displayed incredible maturity. He soon became a vital part of the state team across formats.
In 2008, he also represented Australia in the Under-19 World Cup. Hazlewood impressed everyone with his pace and control, even at that stage. It was clear—he was built for the international level.
International Career
Josh Hazlewood made his international debut in 2010. Over the years, he has become a regular feature across all formats for Australia. Let’s break down his international career across formats.
Test Cricket
Hazlewood is a traditional red-ball bowler. His strength lies in bowling a tight line and length, frustrating batters over long spells. He made his Test debut in December 2014 against India and immediately took a five-wicket haul.
Over the years, he has been an integral part of Australia’s success in the Ashes, Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and overseas tours.
ODI Career
He made his ODI debut in 2010 against England. However, it wasn’t until 2015 that he became a consistent figure in the Australian ODI setup. Hazlewood played a crucial role in Australia’s 2015 World Cup triumph. His ability to bowl with the new ball and control the middle overs proved invaluable.
T20I Career
Though not originally seen as a T20 bowler, Hazlewood adapted quickly. He started getting regular opportunities in 2021. His performances in the T20 World Cup 2021 were vital as Australia lifted the trophy for the first time.
Josh Hazlewood’s International Career Stats
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Avg | Econ | 5W Hauls |
| Test | 67 | 264 | 6/67 | 26.2 | 2.80 | 10 |
| ODI | 80 | 139 | 6/52 | 26.9 | 4.62 | 3 |
| T20I | 41 | 61 | 4/12 | 20.0 | 7.65 | 0 |
Note: Stats are accurate as of July 2025.
IPL Career
Josh Hazlewood entered the IPL relatively late, but he made a strong impression. He started with Chennai Super Kings and later moved to Royal Challengers Bangalore.
His bounce, pace, and ability to execute yorkers made him a prized asset. In slow Indian pitches, Hazlewood’s adaptability stood out. In multiple seasons, he maintained an economy of under 8.00, which is rare for a pace bowler in T20 cricket.
Josh Hazlewood in IPL – Season Summary
| Year | Team | Matches | Wickets | Economy | Best Figures |
| 2020 | CSK | 3 | 1 | 6.40 | 1/19 |
| 2021 | CSK | 9 | 11 | 8.37 | 3/24 |
| 2022 | RCB | 12 | 20 | 8.10 | 4/25 |
| 2023 | RCB | 10 | 14 | 7.85 | 3/18 |
| 2024 | Missed | — | — | — | — |
Personal Traits and Lifestyle
Josh Hazlewood is known for his composed demeanor both on and off the field. Unlike many fast bowlers, he doesn’t rely on aggression or sledging. His bowling does the talking.
He keeps a low profile outside cricket. He enjoys farming, fishing, and spending time with family. His calm personality is often compared to his role model, Glenn McGrath.
Injuries and Comebacks
Like most fast bowlers, Hazlewood has faced his share of injuries. Stress fractures and side strains have sidelined him at crucial moments, including parts of the Ashes and IPL.
However, his disciplined fitness regime and determination helped him bounce back stronger each time. His 2023 return to Test cricket against England was widely applauded. Despite limited preparation, he bowled long spells and picked vital wickets.
Major Achievements
Josh Hazlewood has achieved many milestones across formats. Some of his most notable achievements include:
- Part of the 2015 ODI World Cup winning squad
- Crucial bowler in 2021 T20 World Cup win
- Named in the ICC ODI Team of the Year
- Achieved 1 T20I Bowler Ranking in 2022
- Over 250 Test wickets at an impressive average
Memorable Performances
Here are a few matches that define Josh Hazlewood’s class:
- 6/67 vs India, 2014 (Test Debut) – Dream start to his Test career.
- 6/52 vs New Zealand, 2015 (ODI World Cup) – Helped Australia cruise into the next stage.
- 4/12 vs West Indies, 2021 (T20I) – Match-winning performance in a low-scoring thriller.
- 4/25 vs LSG, 2022 (IPL) – Showcased his brilliance in the powerplay and death overs.
Playing Style and Strengths
Josh Hazlewood is a textbook fast bowler. He thrives on bowling in the corridor of uncertainty. His strengths include:
- Accuracy: Rarely gives loose balls
- Bounce: Extracts extra bounce from any surface
- Discipline: Maintains pressure for long spells
- Adaptability: Adjusts across formats and pitch conditions
His role as a workhorse in Test cricket and a strike bowler in white-ball formats is a rare combination.
Latest News and Updates
Stay updated with the latest news on Josh Hazlewood below:
- July 2025: Selected for Australia’s Test tour of Sri Lanka.
- June 2025: Returned from injury, played the Sheffield Shield final.
- April 2025: Missed IPL season due to side strain.
- February 2025: Named in Australia’s T20 World Cup provisional squad.
Josh Hazlewood’s Role in Modern Cricket
In a world of flashy fast bowlers, Josh Hazlewood stands out for his simplicity. He focuses on basics, executes consistently, and delivers results without theatrics. Whether defending a total or building pressure, he always remains dependable.
His contribution to Australia’s resurgence in Tests and white-ball dominance cannot be overstated. Even as younger bowlers arrive, Hazlewood continues to be the benchmark for consistency and professionalism.
Final Thoughts
Josh Hazlewood remains one of the pillars of modern Australian cricket. His balance of pace, control, and character makes him a role model for aspiring pacers. Whether he’s steaming in at Lord’s or defending 8 runs in a T20 final, you know you can trust Josh Hazlewood.