Josh Reginald Hazlewood is an Australian international cricketer born on 8 January 1991 in Tamworth, New South Wales.
A right-arm fast bowler standing at 196 centimetres, he is renowned for his extraordinary accuracy, relentless line and length, and ability to extract steep bounce from any surface.
Often compared to Glenn McGrath for his metronomic consistency, Hazlewood has formed a formidable partnership with Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, collectively known as one of the greatest fast-bowling trios in Australian cricket history.
Siblings
Josh grew up in Bendemeer, near Tamworth in rural New South Wales, as the son of Trevor Hazlewood and Anne Hazlewood.
He is the youngest of three brothers.
His eldest brother, Jason Hazlewood, and his middle brother, Aaron Hazlewood, both played cricket in their younger years, with Aaron particularly noteworthy as a talented fast bowler himself.
The three brothers honed their skills on the family property, where a concrete pitch was reportedly laid for them to practise on.
While Aaron showed considerable promise as a pace bowler, it was Josh who went on to achieve international stardom.
Career
Hazlewood’s cricketing journey began at a remarkably young age.
At just sixteen, he was selected for the Australian under-19 team and made his first-class debut for New South Wales in 2008, becoming the youngest fast bowler to represent the state since 1915.
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His early promise was evident when he was named in Australia’s squad for the 2010 Under-19 World Cup, where he finished as the leading wicket-taker and was named player of the tournament.
His international breakthrough came in 2010 when he made his T20 International debut against India at just nineteen years of age.
However, it was in the longer formats where he truly flourished.
He made his ODI debut in 2013 against England and his Test debut in December 2014 against India at the Gabba, where he took seven wickets in the match and immediately announced himself on the international stage.
The 2015 Ashes series in England marked a significant turning point in his career.
Hazlewood finished as Australia’s leading wicket-taker with 16 wickets, demonstrating his ability to perform in English conditions.
He followed this with outstanding performances across the globe, becoming the fastest Australian to reach 50 Test wickets in terms of matches played at the time.
In 2017, he became the number one ranked Test bowler in the world, a position he has held on multiple occasions.
Hazlewood was a crucial member of Australia’s triumphant 2021-22 Ashes campaign on home soil and played a pivotal role in Australia’s maiden World Test Championship victory in 2023 against India at The Oval.
He was also part of Australia’s 2023 Cricket World Cup winning squad in India. In 2024, he took his 250th Test wicket and continued to be a cornerstone of Australia’s bowling attack.
Accolades
Hazlewood was named the ICC Emerging Player of the Year in 2015, recognising his rapid rise in international cricket.
He has twice been ranked the number one bowler in ICC Test rankings and has been a consistent presence in the ICC Test Team of the Year on multiple occasions.
In 2017, he was awarded the McGilvray Medal as the ABC Grandstand Cricket Commentator’s Player of the Year.
He has been a key member of Australia’s Ashes-winning campaigns in 2017-18, 2021-22, and the 2023 World Test Championship triumph.
In 2023, he was part of the Australian squad that won the ICC Cricket World Cup, adding a one-day world title to his already glittering resume.
Hazlewood has also achieved remarkable statistical milestones, including becoming one of the fastest Australians to reach 200 Test wickets.
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