'Play as much as I can within reason' - Josh Hazlewood outlines workload plan ahead of South Africa tour

Josh Hazlewood has returned to Test cricket after more than a year away from the format, having missed the previous summer's Ashes series due to a hamstring injury. The Australian fast bowler featured in his country's home series against Bangladesh, marking a significant milestone in his recovery and rehabilitation.

Hazlewood claimed 7 wickets in the opening Test against Bangladesh in Darwin, demonstrating his effectiveness upon his return to long-format cricket. In the second match at Mackay, he bowled impressively but claimed only 1 wicket in the two-day contest. The selectors are set to announce Australia's ODI squads for Zimbabwe and South Africa on Tuesday, with the Test squad for the series beginning in Durban on October 9 to be confirmed at the start of the following week.

Hazlewood has adopted a measured approach to his workload as Australia prepares for the ODI contests ahead of the South African Test tour. Rather than committing to all matches, he is prioritising strategic participation to maintain intensity while managing his physical demands.

"I think still the best way forward for me is to play as much as I can [within] reason. We've got two ODI series before that Test match series, so it might be playing two out of three in both of those. I think once you're at that intensity, which we're all at now, [it] is trying to maintain that as best we can," Hazlewood was quoted as saying by ESPN.

The fast bowler expressed satisfaction with his physical condition heading into the next phase of competition. His injury-free return from the Bangladesh series has provided confidence as Australia prepares for the ODI contests and the Test tour of South Africa.

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"I'm very pleased with where I'm at physically, [I've] done a lot of work, probably the 10 weeks leading into that series, it was probably our last big training block before what's to come. Very pleased to come out the other side pretty much unscathed," he added.

Selectors are also monitoring the concurrent Australia A tour to India to identify players for the five-match Test series scheduled for January and February. The selection process will balance opportunities across multiple formats and tours as Australia builds toward its summer commitments.