Fit-again Josh Hazlewood eyes three Tests in the Ashes

In the lead up to the second consecutive Ashes series, Australian seamer Josh Hazlewood has found himself coming off an injury layoff. Four years ago, Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc were left out in favour of Peter Siddle and James Pattinson for the Edgbaston opener and it is possible that the 32-year-old might make way for the on-song Scott Boland this time around.

The time on the treatment table hasn’t deterred Hazlewood from proclaiming that he will feature in at least three Ashes Tests this English summer after declaring himself fit to play in Birmingham after missing out on the World Test Championship final against India last week. “If we go back a few years, I would have said [I expected to play] all six [Tests]. But I guess it’s a little bit different now, based on the last two years of history. I think three would be nice pass and four is probably a tick. Any more than that is great. Any less, then I am probably a little disappointed again,” Hazlewood said two days out from the start of the marquee five-Test series.

Australia are blessed with rich resources in their seam-bowling department, which has been buoyed by the emergence of Boland and Cameron Green, the seam-bowling all-rounder. That means in a congested series of five Tests, they can rest and rotate their bowlers and put out a reasonably fresh attack for every clash. Hazlewood may be a doubtful starter but the experienced pro boasts an excellent record in England, having taken 36 wickets at 23.58.