Josh Hazlewood joins Australia’s elite 300-Test-wicket club during Darwin Test

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Josh Hazlewood has entered an exclusive chapter of Australian cricket history, becoming only the ninth Australian bowler to reach 300 Test wickets during the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin. The milestone came as the experienced seamer claimed his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, underlining his value to Australia after a long spell on the sidelines because of injury.

Hazlewood’s achievement puts him alongside some of Australia’s greatest Test bowlers. He now joins Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc among Australia’s active bowlers to have crossed the 300-wicket mark. The quartet have also created a unique piece of cricket history. They are the only Test bowling attack to have played together after each member had already collected at least 300 Test wickets.

For Hazlewood, reaching the landmark is particularly impressive given the efficiency with which he has taken his wickets. Among Australia’s nine 300-wicket bowlers, only Glenn McGrath, Cummins and Dennis Lillee have better career bowling averages. Hazlewood entered the match with an average of 24.02, having taken his wickets at a remarkably consistent rate throughout his career.

The milestone carries extra significance because Hazlewood’s place in the XI was not guaranteed before the Test. The 35-year-old began the match just five wickets short of 300, but had played only six of Australia’s previous 14 Tests. His absence had largely been caused by injury, and he had not featured in a Test match for 12 months. That led to a selection debate over whether Australia should turn to Hazlewood or Scott Boland for the opening game.

Once given the opportunity, however, Hazlewood quickly reminded everyone of his class. He could have made an even earlier impact after Lyon dropped Tanzid Hasan in his opening over on the first day. Tanzid made Australia pay for the mistake, eventually scoring a century. Hazlewood eventually broke Bangladesh’s resistance on the second morning, removing Mominul Haque after the batter attempted to drive on the up.

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Hazlewood continued to trouble Bangladesh with his movement, accuracy and ability to extract extra bounce. He returned with the second new ball to dismiss Najmul Hossain Shanto for 84, producing a delivery from around the wicket that left the batter with little chance. As the conditions became increasingly demanding for Australia, Hazlewood remained a constant threat. He dismissed Hasan Mahmud lbw after Bangladesh’s lower order had offered stubborn resistance.

Extra bounce then brought Taijul Islam’s dismissal, with Cameron Green completing the catch at gully after the batter offered a leading edge. Hazlewood finally reached the 300-wicket landmark when Mehidy Hasan edged behind while attempting to drive. The dismissal completed his five-wicket haul and gave him a memorable return to Test cricket. He later added another wicket by removing Ebadot Hossain to complete his fourth Test six-wicket haul, his first in nine years.

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