Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has expressed a strong desire to achieve success overseas as the national team prepares for an intensive schedule of 14 Test matches over the next eight months. The campaign begins with a two-Test series against Bangladesh in Darwin and Mackay. Looking ahead, Hazlewood has set his sights on series triumphs in South Africa, India, and the Ashes in England. Australia, currently leading the World Test Championship table, will also host a four-match series against New Zealand and the 150th Anniversary Test against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground next March, with a potential appearance in the World Test Championship final also on the horizon.
Speaking to reporters at Brisbane’s National Cricket Centre, Hazlewood emphasized that these upcoming away series are a major motivating factor for the playing group. "That's been a driving factor during this prep, in the back of your head, and even in the months leading into it," Hazlewood said. "They're some real big Test series, and they're all away, so it's tough competition and hopefully we get the job done. I haven't won in South Africa either, so there's three that are coming up… a few boxes to tick off there for not just me, but this whole playing group."
Hazlewood is aiming for his first Test appearance in thirteen months after missing the previous Ashes due to hamstring and Achilles injuries. He faces potential competition for the third seamer’s spot from Scott Boland, with chief selector George Bailey noting that Boland has narrowed the gap. Hazlewood, who currently has 295 Test wickets and is nearing the 300-mark, expressed a desire to play alongside Boland rather than just competing with him. "I think Boland and I have only played one game together – at Edgbaston in the 2023 Ashes – and I'd love to play more with Scotty," he said. "We're obviously a little bit similar, but I think there's still a lot of differences in our bowling."
To prepare for the demanding schedule, which includes training with Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser, the team has utilized a unique preparation method. "This is probably the first time we've actually had a lead-in to a Test without any cricket in terms of games," Hazlewood explained. "So we've been able to dice them up exactly how we want. It's been big days on Tuesdays and Thursdays mostly, with some other stuff filtered in around that. And then last week we had a few back-to-back days – Tuesday, Wednesday – and again next week I think will be back-to-back."
He contrasted this with previous preparations, noting, "Leading into other Test series and Test series and Test matches, you're playing T20, you're playing one-dayers, you're travelling, so it's tough to fit those bowling sessions in. This has been tailor-made for a Test match, which should work out well. I've looked at it literally as day-in, day-out for the last few weeks here – ticking boxes, getting workloads in. Next week's another tick, and then once you get through all that, then you look at Darwin." The first Test against Bangladesh is scheduled to begin in Darwin on August 13.
