Veteran Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood missed the entire Ashes series this summer due to his injured hamstring. However, the injury has not affected his mindset, as he is adamant on the fact that he will continue to play for his national team in all formats.
Australia may be dominating the home Ashes series with a 2-0 lead, but they have faced several setbacks in the form of injuries. Usman Khawaja and Josh Hazlewood are among the big names in this list.
Hazlewood was ruled out of the first two Tests, but it was then confirmed that he would miss the entire summer Ashes for Australia. However, credit goes to Mitchell Starc, who remained patient and performed well for Australia through tough times. Starc was named player of the match in the first two matches.
“My body still feels as strong as it is” – Josh Hazlewood on playing all three formats
Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the Ashes after suffering a hamstring injury during the Sheffield Shield game last month; He then suffered another setback when he injured his Achilles tendon last week, confirming his exit.
Despite all this, the Australian fast bowler is still determined to be a star for his national team in all formats of international cricket.
“Yes, absolutely,” he told Sydney’s Daily Telegraph. “My body still feels just as strong. There are little things here and there that creep in. I’m still committed to playing all three formats as much as possible.”
He said that despite fitness and determination, every bowler misses the game sometimes and no one can do it all, except when he is a batsman. Every format demands something new and presents a different kind of challenge.
Josh Hazlewood focused on comeback ahead of T20 World Cup squad announcement
Unlike Pat Cummins or Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood does not want to keep himself away from the game in any way. Starc has already retired from T20 format at the international level and now his focus is only on Test and ODI.
However, Hazlewood has kept his dreams of playing for Australia in the T20 World Cup alive, and given his experience and his huge numbers in the subcontinent, Australia will also value his return to the team.
“Once you get injured in the middle of a series or just before the series starts, you’re chasing your tail for quite a while anyway,” he said.
Hazlewood confirmed that a return between the Ashes would put his T20 World Cup plans on hold, “Because of the hamstring I probably could have come back for a Test or two, but then you leave yourself quite vulnerable to being too vulnerable in a Test match.”
Australia enjoying captain Pat Cummins’ return in Adelaide
On the other hand, Australia, already leading the Ashes with two wins, are celebrating the return of their captain Pat Cummins. Cummins, who has been out of action since July 2025, has made a comeback after being named in the Australian squad for the Adelaide Test.
Josh Hazlewood confirmed that, as a bowler, “it’s good to have some good work under you,” but it is clear Hazlewood is not looking to return to the Australian team any time soon before the World Cup, which starts on February 7.
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