Josh Hazlewood became only the ninth Australian to reach 300 Test wickets, achieving the milestone in his 26th Test over against Bangladesh in Darwin. Josh Hazlewood has etched his name into Australian cricket history, becoming the ninth Australian bowler to claim 300 Test wickets. The speedster took 6 scalps for 89 runs in his 28 overs as he had to toil a lot.
The milestone came during a remarkable spell in the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin, where the experienced seamer produced his 14th career five-wicket haul. At 35, Josh Hazlewood’s achievement carries even greater weight given the injury setbacks that had kept him away from Test cricket for almost a year. Hazlewood entered the match needing just five wickets to reach the landmark and delivered exactly when Australia needed him.
Joining an Elite Australian Club
Josh Hazlewood now sits alongside Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc in Australia’s 300-Test-wicket club. The quartet has created a unique piece of cricket history, becoming the only Test bowling attack to play together after each member had already taken 300 wickets.
Among Australia’s nine 300-wicket bowlers, Josh Hazlewood’s numbers are particularly impressive. Josh Hazlewood’s career average of 24.02 is bettered by only three Australians: Glenn McGrath (21.64), Pat Cummins (22.21) and Dennis Lillee (23.92).
For Hazlewood, however, the achievement was less about personal milestones and more about joining a list featuring some of Australia’s greatest-ever bowlers.
“You don’t really think about those sort of milestones when you’re playing. I guess it’s probably something you look back on at the end,” Hazlewood said after reaching 300.
A Comeback Written in Wickets
Josh Hazlewood’s road to 300 was far from straightforward. He had played only six of Australia’s previous 14 Tests and had not featured in a Test match for the preceding 12 months because of injury. Hazlewood began the Darwin Test just five wickets short of 300, with selectors having considered whether Scott Boland should get the nod instead. Hazlewood answered that question emphatically.
Josh Hazlewood Breaks Bangladesh’s Resistance
Bangladesh’s batters made Australia work hard on a surface that offered plenty for batting. Tanzid Hasan survived a chance in Hazlewood’s opening over after Nathan Lyon dropped him at slip, eventually making a century.
Hazlewood eventually broke the partnership between Tanzid Hasan and Mominul Haque, dismissing Mominul (49 in 95) caught behind when Bangladesh’s score was 138-2 in 39.2 overs
He returned with the second new ball to remove Najmul Hossain Shanto (84 runs in 126 balls), with a superb delivery from around the wicket when score was 297-4 in 81.4 overs. As the heat intensified, Hazlewood continued to find ways through. He trapped Hasan Mahmud (14 runs in 92 balls) lbw when the score was 354-7 in 113.5 overs & later Taijul Islam (17 runs in 23 balls) fell after an extra-bounce delivery produced a leading edge to Cameron Green at gully as Bangladesh lost 8 wickets for 372 in 118 overs.
Then came the moment everyone was waiting for.
The 300th Wicket
Josh Hazlewood returned after lunch and completed his six-wicket haul by having Mehidy Hasan Miraz (65 runs in 154 balls) edge behind while attempting to drive as Bangladesh lost 9 wickets for 418 in 133.4 overs. The wicket was not just another dismissal—it was No. 300 in Test cricket. Hazlewood later completed a six-wicket haul by dismissing Ebadot Hossain & bundling out Bangladesh for a massive 426 runs, recording his first six-wicket haul in nine years.
After a long road back from injury, Josh Hazlewood’s return could hardly have been more emphatic. His 300th wicket was a reminder of exactly why he remains one of Australia’s most reliable Test bowlers, and now, officially, one of the country’s all-time greats. Aussies are still behind by 67 runs with 6 wickets in hand, as Day 4 will be critical, with Australia’s score at 161-4.
Also Read: AUS vs BAN: Bangladesh Chip Away To Stay In Control On Day 3