Josh Hazlewood is an Australian right-arm fast-medium bowler and one of the most consistent new-ball operators of his generation. Born in Tamworth, New South Wales, he is known for a tight line, a probing length just back of a good length and the ability to extract bounce without needing express pace. A left-handed batter, he is a useful lower-order contributor, but his reputation rests on his bowling in Test, one-day and T20 cricket.
Early life and rise
Hazlewood was born on 8 January 1991 in Tamworth and came through the New South Wales system, making his debut for the state in 2008. He was part of the Australia side that won the ICC Under-19 World Cup in 2010, and he played one-day international cricket for Australia for the first time in June 2010 against England. His T20 international debut followed in February 2013 against West Indies.
His Test debut came on 17 December 2014 against India at the Gabba in Brisbane, and he quickly became a first-choice selection. In 2015 he was named the ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year.
Playing style
Hazlewood is a bowler who relies on discipline rather than spectacle. His height gives him steep bounce, and he is able to hit the seam consistently, which makes him difficult to score from on pitches that offer even a little help. He usually bowls an economical first spell and tends to build pressure for the faster bowlers at the other end. In white-ball cricket he has been used both with the new ball and in the death overs.
Career highlights
Hazlewood has been part of Australia's squads that won the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2015 and 2023, the ICC T20 World Cup in 2021 and the World Test Championship in the 2021-2023 cycle. Australia also reached the final of the 2023-2025 World Test Championship cycle as runners-up.
In franchise cricket he has played for Sydney Sixers, Chennai Super Kings, with whom he won the IPL in 2021, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Role in the team
Alongside Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood has been part of Australia's pace attack in Tests for many years. His job is to keep the scoring rate down and to take the key wickets of top-order batters, and he is regularly asked to bowl long spells in difficult conditions. He has also captained Australia in a one-day international, standing in as skipper in November 2022 against England.
Frequently asked questions
When did Josh Hazlewood make his Test debut?
He debuted on 17 December 2014 against India at the Gabba in Brisbane.
Which IPL teams has Josh Hazlewood played for?
Chennai Super Kings, with whom he won the 2021 title, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
What is Josh Hazlewood's bowling style?
Right-arm fast-medium.