If there’s one bowler in the modern era who resembles Glenn McGrath in terms of accurate line and length, then that guy has to be Josh Hazlewood.

Hazlewood made his first-class debut at the age of 17, making him the youngest player to play for New South Wales. Such was his talent that, two years after his domestic debut, he received his maiden ODI call-up to face England.

The selectors were aware of the talent he possessed, and after a string of solid performances in the domestic circuit, Hazlewood was given the baggy green cap as he made his Test debut against India at the Gabba in 2014. 

He had a dream debut, picking up a fifer in his maiden innings, and he achieved it by rattling the Indian top order. It was the start of something special from the Australian perspective. Hazlewood formed a lethal bowling trio with Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, and they have created havoc in the minds of the opposition.

For his exceptional performances in the T20 World Cup in 2021, Hazlewood became the first bowler to be ranked among the top 10 in all three formats (Test, ODI, and T20I) in ICC rankings.

Josh Hazlewood ODI Career

Josh Hazlewood made his ODI debut for Australia on June 22, 2010. The New South Wales boy, at just 19, became the youngest fast bowler to debut for the country. However, the debut didn’t go according to plan, and the pacer had to wait another 3 years before playing an ODI.

Hazlewood was a part of the Australian squad for the 2015 World Cup. He was impressive in the World Cup as the Aussies clinched their fifth world title. In the quarter-final against Pakistan, he picked up four wickets and earned the Player of the Match award for his scintillating bowling display.

Moreover, in a group stage match of the Champions Trophy 2017, the Aussie grabbed his career best figures of 6 for 52 against the Kiwis.

In January 2017, in the ODI against New Zealand, Hazlewood’s 54-run partnership with Marcus Stoinis recorded its name in the list of most unusual ODI innings. Throughout the innings, Hazlewood remained off-strike at the other end without facing a ball. Although he was run out at the non-striker’s end, Australia fell just 7 runs short of a win.

Thus, the pacer became the first player to be dismissed for a diamond duck in a partnership of over fifty runs.

Hazlewood was also a vital cog in Australia’s 2023 Cricket World Cup win in India. He picked up 16 wickets in 11 games, second only to Adam Zampa among Australia's best bowlers in the tournament.

Josh Hazlewood T20I Career

Josh Hazlewood made his T20I debut against the West Indies on 13th February 2013, picking up 1–36 in 4 overs.

Nonetheless, until 2020, his rise did not extend much in the game's shortest format.

But huge improvements to his variations and off-pace deliveries saw Hazlewood become a key player in Australia's maiden T20 World Cup title, sealing his reputation as one of the world's premier all-format bowlers.

In May 2024, he was named in Australia’s squad for the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup tournament. However, he was ruled out of the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup due to a knee injury as he failed to recover on time.

Josh Hazlewood IPL Career

Brought into the side by MS Dhoni to strengthen the bowling attack, Josh Hazlewood played his maiden IPL for Chennai Super Kings on September 25, 2020. Known as a clever and composed customer with the ball, he also played a vital role in the Chennai Super Kings' 2021 IPL triumph.

The Australian bowler was later picked by the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the IPL 2022 Mega Auction for INR 7.75 crore. Since then, Hazlewood has been an essential bowler, eventually helping them win their maiden IPL title in 2025. 

Josh Hazlewood Test Career

Standing tall at 6 feet 5 inches, Josh Hazlewood made his Test match debut against India at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, commonly known as The Gabba, on 17 December 2014. He took 5 wickets in the first innings, conceding 68 runs.

Moreover, in 2015, the first-ever Day-Night Test match took place between Australia and New Zealand. Hazlewood became the first player to grab a fifer in a D/N Test, and in the process, took his 50th career wicket in just his 12th Test match.

Hazlewood was named in the Australian squad for the Ashes 2019. The series ended 2-2, and the pacer was the star with the ball for the Australians, picking up 20 wickets at an average of 21.85.

The speedster continued his good Test form in the home series against India in 2020. He registered his 200th wicket in Test matches and, in the process, became Australia’s seventh-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.

Hazlewood was all set to set the world on fire during the 2021–22 Ashes, but his campaign was cut short after just one Test due to a side strain. In the opening Test at the Gabba, he showcased his trademark accuracy, claiming 2 for 42 in England’s first innings, including the crucial wicket of Joe Root. However, discomfort forced him to bowl sparingly in the second innings, finishing with 1 for 32.

During Australia's historic tour of Pakistan in 2022, Hazlewood participated in the series, marking Australia's first Test matches in the country since 1998. Hazlewood played in the first Test at Rawalpindi, which concluded in a high-scoring draw. Throughout the match, he bowled a total of 26 overs without taking a wicket, conceding 53 runs in the first innings and 13 runs in the second. 

Following this, Hazlewood was omitted from the playing XI for the remaining two Tests in Karachi and Lahore, with Mitchell Swepson and Scott Boland being preferred as Australia adjusted their bowling attack to suit the conditions.

During the Ashes 2023 held in England, Australian fast bowler Hazlewood played a pivotal role in Australia's bowling attack. Participating in four of the five Tests, Hazlewood secured 16 wickets over 111 overs, conceding 507 runs, resulting in a bowling average of 31.68. His best innings figures were 5 for 126.

He played two Test matches during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2024-25, delivering 79 overs and taking 6 wickets at an average of 13.17.

Despite these recurring fitness concerns, Hazlewood has showcased resilience. His injury woes resurfaced in December 2024 when a right calf strain cut short his participation in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. 

Josh Hazlewood’s Struggles with Injuries

The Australian speedster’s woes with injuries continued. He was ruled out of the entire 2025-26 Ashes series due to persistent hamstring and Achilles tendon injuries. Moreover, the Aussie quick failed to recover in time for the T20 World Cup 2026 and was officially ruled out of the full tournament. 

(As of March 2026)