Josh Hazlewood’s resilience during ‘danger point’ leads to red-hot rewards

The seasoned Australian fast bowler has not only bounced back from a string of setbacks but has done so with a remarkable display of skill and consistency.

Hazlewood’s journey back to the limelight began with a stellar performance against Pakistan in the New Year Test at the SCG. Singlehandedly dismantling the opposition with a brilliant 5-31, the 33-year-old kick-started a bowling spree that has left cricket enthusiasts in awe.

Since that memorable day, Hazlewood has scalped an impressive 27 Test wickets at an average of 9.7. His economy rate, conceding just 262 runs from 107 overs, is nothing short of phenomenal. This outstanding form against Pakistan, West Indies, and New Zealand underscores his vital role in the Australian team’s success across formats.

Hazlewood’s journey is not just a tale of redemption but also a strategic approach to managing his physical well-being. After battling side strains and achilles tendon problems that hampered his participation in the previous Australian summer and the Test tour to India, the seasoned bowler identified the season opener as a potential threat point.

“It’s always that first game of the summer, that’s the big danger point,” Hazlewood emphasised, as quoted by Cricket.com.au.

Reflecting on his recovery, he highlighted the importance of a well-structured transition from white-ball to red-ball cricket, citing the benefits of a gradual buildup in the form of one-dayers leading into the season.

“It obviously depends what you’ve got behind you going into it, and one-day cricket is a much better build than T20 a lot of the time. So this year we played a few one-dayers leading in, and the World Cup so the workloads were nice over a long period. Intensity was up and that held me in good stead. If you’re coming off the back of T20 cricket which was the two years before that, you’re a bit more vulnerable I think. And I always feel that once you get through that first game that it’s pretty smooth sailing after that. That’s the critical moment I reckon,” he added.

Hazlewood’s return to the Test squad for the Ashes series in the United Kingdom last year marked a turning point, dispelling any doubts about his ability to withstand the rigours of fast bowling. His consistent performances have silenced sceptics who questioned his durability in extended Test campaigns.

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Drawing inspiration from cricket legend Glenn McGrath, Hazlewood believes in the significance of playing regularly to minimise injury risks. The upcoming break from competitive cricket, due to the imminent birth of his first child, won’t be a period of complete rest. Hazlewood plans to stay active, possibly engaging in light bowling sessions to keep his body accustomed to the demands of fast bowling.

“We’ll probably have a look at that over the next six to eight months,” he said. “There’s not a lot of cricket for us, so it’s about in those breaks potentially ticking it over a bit more than what I may have previous years rather than just shutting it down for a month or five weeks. Just maybe have two weeks off, have a little bowl, another two weeks and just keep ticking things over, keep the body used to the rigours of fast bowling that we know are quite tough.”

Looking ahead, Hazlewood remains open to IPL opportunities in the back half of the tournament as an injury replacement. His proactive approach towards maintaining fitness during breaks reflects a commitment to the Australian team’s upcoming challenges, including the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA in June.