Josh Hazlewood achieved a significant career milestone on Saturday, becoming the ninth Australian bowler to secure 300 Test wickets. This accomplishment occurred during the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin. Hazlewood’s 300th Test wicket also marked his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
The Australian quick reached this landmark while maintaining a career average of 24.02. Among Australia’s nine bowlers who have taken 300 Test wickets, only three have better averages: Glenn McGrath at 21.64, Pat Cummins at 22.21, and Dennis Lillee at 23.92. Hazlewood’s achievement contributes to a unique record for Australian Test cricket, as the current playing group now includes four bowlers who have each taken at least 300 Test wickets, a feat no other Test team has accomplished with four such bowlers playing together after reaching this milestone.
Hazlewood’s Milestone Wickets
Hazlewood’s journey to 300 Test wickets began with his debut in the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. His first Test scalp was Cheteshwar Pujara in December 2014 at the Gabba. He secured his 50th Test wicket in just 12 matches, trapping Ross Taylor lbw in November 2015 at the Adelaide Oval during the inaugural pink-ball Test. In that match, Hazlewood recorded figures of 6-70 and 3-66, earning him the Player of the Match award.
His 100th Test wicket came in December 2016 at the MCG, dismissing Pakistan tailender Wahab Riaz. By March 2018, Hazlewood reached his 150th Test wicket by getting AB de Villiers out at Newlands. This match also saw Nathan Lyon achieve his 300th Test wicket.
After a year-long absence from Test cricket due to a hamstring strain and the COVID-19 pandemic, Hazlewood made a strong return in December 2020. He claimed his 200th Test wicket, dismissing R Ashwin at the Adelaide Oval, contributing to India’s total of 36. His 250th Test wicket occurred in January 2024, also at the Adelaide Oval, when he bowled Alick Athanaze. This milestone made him the fourth member of Australia’s bowling attack, alongside Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins, to boast 250 Test wickets each.
The 34-year-old Hazlewood’s latest achievement came during a strong performance where he took all four wickets that fell after lunch on the third day, finishing with six wickets in Bangladesh’s first innings. He dismissed Mehidy Hasan Miraz, breaking a stubborn resistance, and then removed Ebadot Hossain to complete his 300th Test wicket and 14th five-wicket haul.
Bangladesh’s Dominant Position
Despite Hazlewood’s individual success, Bangladesh concluded their first innings with a commanding 228-run lead over Australia, scoring 426 runs. Their innings was anchored by a maiden Test century from Tanzid Hasan, who scored 101 after being dropped on zero. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan also contributed with half-centuries. Mehidy Hasan further demonstrated his value by batting for nearly 50 overs with the lower order, extending Bangladesh’s advantage.
Bangladesh’s strong batting display followed an effective bowling performance earlier in the match, where Hasan Mahmud claimed six wickets to put them in a dominant position. Australia also faced challenges in the field, dropping five catches and allowing Bangladesh’s lower order to add valuable runs. This strong showing by Bangladesh comes despite their recent heavy defeat to a Cricket Australia XI in their tour game before arriving in Darwin.
The Australia squad for the Bangladesh Test series includes Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, and Beau Webster. The Bangladesh squad for the first Test features Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vc), Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Amite Hasan, Jaker Ali, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, and Musfik Hasan. The first Test is scheduled from August 13-17 at Marrara Stadium in Darwin.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
