Josh Hazlewood has built his career on rhythm, control and quiet resilience. At 34, the Australian fast bowler still believes his body can handle the demands of modern cricket, even as injuries continue to interrupt his journey.
That belief is being tested again ahead of the 2025–26 Ashes. Josh Hazlewood suffered a hamstring injury while playing in the Sheffield Shield, a setback that initially ruled him out of the first two Tests. His recovery seemed on track and he had returned to bowling in the nets before the second Test in Brisbane. However, an Achilles issue surfaced during training, forcing another pause and delaying his comeback further.
Despite the frustration, Josh Hazlewood remains clear about his ambitions. He feels physically strong and is motivated to continue playing across all three formats. He understands that fast bowlers cannot play every match but he still enjoys the different challenges that Tests, one-dayers and T20s offer. Preparing for each format, he believes, keeps his cricket fresh and rewarding.
Injuries, however, have become an unfortunate pattern. Since 2022, Josh Hazlewood has dealt with repeated side strains, calf problems, hamstring issues and now Achilles trouble. These setbacks have kept him out of important home Tests, overseas tours and high-stakes finals, often just when he seemed ready to regain momentum.
There was a brief period of relief when he stayed fit through the IPL, the World Test Championship final, the West Indies Tests and parts of the white-ball season. That run made the latest setback even harder to accept, especially with an Ashes series at home approaching.
Josh Hazlewood knows the risks of rushing back. Returning mid-series without enough bowling can leave a fast bowler vulnerable to breakdowns. Each day away from bowling adds to the work required to regain match readiness and match fitness cannot be fast-tracked.
For now, Josh Hazlewood’s focus remains on recovery and patience. The desire to contribute in all formats is still strong and while the road has been uneven, his commitment to Australian cricket remains unchanged.
