Hazlewood Expects Australia to Plan on the Run Against Bangladesh

Josh Hazlewood believes Australia’s bowlers will have to think on their feet when they meet Bangladesh in Darwin, where the two sides open their Test series.

Few memories of facing Bangladesh

The fast bowler missed Australia’s last Test series against Bangladesh, played in 2017, and also sat out the white-ball tour of the country earlier this year. As a result, he has faced them only nine times in international cricket. Speaking on the Unplayable Podcast, Hazlewood said the combination of an unfamiliar ground, an unknown pitch and an opponent Australia rarely meet in these conditions leaves plenty of unanswered questions, though he described that as exciting rather than worrying.

Australia have video and data on the Bangladesh batters, he explained, but he expects much of the real work to happen in the middle, with plans shaped as the game develops. He said that kind of problem-solving is something he finds refreshing.

A milestone within reach

Hazlewood is 34 and needs five more wickets to reach 300 in Tests. He downplayed the landmark, saying the format is simple in terms of plans and that the challenge is to execute them over long spells. Unlike in T20 cricket, he pointed out, a Test bowler has time to adjust as the match unfolds.

What is at stake

Australia want to keep their momentum going in the World Test Championship, and the series is expected to test both batters and bowlers in unfamiliar surroundings. For a bowling attack built on consistency, the early sessions in Darwin may show how quickly it can adjust.