Josh Hazlewood

Josh Hazlewood

Role: Bowler

Batting Style: Left Handed Bat

Bowling Style: Right-arm fast-medium

Country: Australia

Team: Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Player profile for Josh Hazlewood

Josh Hazlewood is an Australian cricketer known for his precision and consistency as a fast bowler. He is considered one of the finest pacers in modern-day cricket, particularly in Test matches, thanks to his impeccable line, length, and ability to swing the ball both ways. Hazlewood has been a key member of Australia’s pace attack for several years and has been instrumental in their success in all formats of the game.

Personal Information:

  • Full Name: Joshua Charles Hazlewood
  • Date of Birth: January 8, 1991
  • Place of Birth: Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia
  • Height: 6 feet 5 inches (196 cm)
  • Batting Style: Right-handed
  • Bowling Style: Right-arm fast
  • Role: Bowler

Early Life and Development:

Josh Hazlewood was born in Tamworth, New South Wales, and started playing cricket at a young age. His tall frame and natural ability to bowl at high speeds helped him stand out in junior cricket. Hazlewood progressed through the New South Wales (NSW) cricket ranks and quickly became known for his disciplined and consistent fast bowling.

He made a name for himself in domestic cricket, particularly with New South Wales, where his performances caught the eye of national selectors. His remarkable consistency and ability to maintain accuracy made him a standout fast bowler in Australia’s domestic competitions.

Domestic Career:

  • First-Class Debut: Hazlewood made his debut for New South Wales in the 2008-09 season in the Sheffield Shield, Australia’s premier first-class competition.
  • List A Debut: He debuted in the Ryobi One-Day Cup for New South Wales in 2009.
  • T20 Debut: Hazlewood made his T20 debut for New South Wales in 2009 as well.

Hazlewood quickly made an impact in all formats of the game at the domestic level, which helped him break into the Australian national team.

International Career:

Hazlewood made his debut for Australia in 2010, at the age of 19, in a One-Day International (ODI) against England. His debut was part of a new wave of fast bowlers for Australia, and he soon became a key figure in their pace attack.

ODI Debut:

  • Date: February 19, 2010, against England.

Test Debut:

  • Date: December 17, 2014, against India in Brisbane, during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This debut was a significant moment in Hazlewood’s career as he quickly became known for his consistency and ability to bowl long spells in tough conditions.

T20I Debut:

  • Date: January 2016, against India in Sydney.

Playing Style and Strengths:

  • Bowling Style: Hazlewood is known for his pace, accuracy, and ability to extract bounce from the pitch. His high-arm action allows him to generate steep bounce, particularly on fast, bouncy wickets. He is not a bowler who relies on extreme pace but focuses more on hitting the right areas consistently, making him difficult to score off.
  • Key Strengths:
    • Line and Length: Hazlewood is exceptional at maintaining a tight line and length. He bowls a consistent length, just outside off stump, forcing the batsman to play at balls.
    • Swing and Movement: He can move the ball both ways, and his ability to swing it in the air makes him highly effective in favorable conditions.
    • Stamina and Durability: Hazlewood is known for his ability to bowl long spells without compromising on accuracy. His stamina and ability to maintain intensity make him a valuable asset in Test matches.
    • Control: He is a master of control and often bowls in tight areas to keep the pressure on the batsman, limiting scoring opportunities and drawing mistakes.

Key Achievements and Statistics:

  • Test Cricket: Hazlewood is regarded as one of the best fast bowlers in Test cricket, regularly topping Australia’s bowling charts.
    • He has consistently been among the leading wicket-takers for Australia in Test matches.
    • Hazlewood played a key role in Australia’s 2017-18 Ashes series, where his bowling was instrumental in Australia’s victory over England.
    • As of 2024, he has taken more than 200 wickets in Test cricket with an average around 26.
  • ODI Cricket: Hazlewood has also been effective in ODIs, playing a major role in Australia’s 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup victory.
    • He is one of Australia’s most reliable ODI bowlers, often playing key roles with the ball during crunch moments.
  • T20I Cricket: Though T20 cricket is not his primary format, Hazlewood has still made key contributions with the ball, and his calmness under pressure is evident in his performances in T20 leagues and international tournaments.

Career Statistics (as of 2024):

  • Test Matches: 67 matches, 212 wickets, average around 26.5.
  • ODIs: 60 matches, 97 wickets, average around 25.5.
  • T20Is: 20 matches, 28 wickets, average around 24.3.

Major Achievements:

  1. 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup: Hazlewood was a key part of Australia’s victory, contributing with vital wickets throughout the tournament.
  2. 2017-18 Ashes Series: Hazlewood played a pivotal role in Australia’s 4-0 Ashes series win over England.
  3. Fastest to 150 wickets in Tests for Australia: Hazlewood became the fastest Australian to reach 150 Test wickets, highlighting his consistency and effectiveness as a fast bowler.

Indian Premier League (IPL) Career:

  • Debut: Hazlewood made his IPL debut in 2020, playing for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He was brought in as a replacement for the injured Lungi Ngidi.
  • IPL 2020-2021: Hazlewood was known for his disciplined bowling in the IPL, especially for CSK, where he played a supporting role in the pace attack alongside others like Deepak Chahar. He had a great spell in the 2021 season, playing a crucial role in helping CSK lift the title that year.

Injury Concerns:

Like many fast bowlers, Hazlewood has faced his fair share of injuries throughout his career. His injuries, however, have not stopped him from performing consistently at the highest level. Managing his workload, especially in the longer formats, remains key to his continued success.

Leadership and Influence:

Although Hazlewood is not a regular captain, his leadership qualities are valued in the Australian team. He is known for his calm demeanor on the field, and his experience is crucial in helping younger bowlers in the team.

Personal Life:

Josh Hazlewood comes from a sporting family, and his passion for cricket was evident from a young age. Outside of cricket, Hazlewood enjoys spending time with his family and is an avid supporter of other sports, particularly rugby.

Conclusion:

Josh Hazlewood is one of the most consistent and reliable fast bowlers in world cricket. Known for his exceptional line and length, his ability to extract movement, and his durability in long Test matches, Hazlewood has become a pivotal figure in Australia’s fast-bowling attack. With a calm temperament and the ability to perform under pressure, he has cemented his place as one of the best pacers of his generation. His contributions to Australia’s success, particularly in Test cricket, and his vital role in limited-overs cricket make him an integral part of the national team.