Josh Hazlewood has opened up on speculations regarding his international retirement after the upcoming Ashes 2025. Australia’s formidable pace-bowling trio includes Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and
Pat Cummins. These three bowlers have helped the Aussie side record some exceptional success in recent years. Allying with one another for Australia, they have won the T20 World Cup 2021 and World Cup 2023 in the last few years and being together in the Test and ODI formats in the upcoming years, they are expected to achieve more success for the Men in Yellow. Recently, one of the members of the trio Mitchell Starc retired from T20 International (T20I) and now questions are whether Hazlewood would also bid adieu to international cricket.
In the last few years, the lanky Aussie speedster has missed some crucial assignments for his team which solidifies his chances of bidding adieu to international cricket. However, the veteran pacer dismissed retirement rumours by saying that he is in no position to discuss his exit plans from the international circuit as he, along with Starc and Cummins, enjoy playing red-ball cricket.
"I don't think we're in a position now to say anything, but I think you might sit back at the end and have a think about it. I think everyone still loves the format of Test cricket. There's plenty of Tests coming up in the next two years. There's another cycle of the World Test Championship so there's a lot of things still exciting about Test Cricket, not just the Ashes. I think we've still got a few more games left in us yet," said Hazlewood as per SEN Radio.
Josh Hazlewood’s performance in the Ashes
Josh Hazlewoodhas played 18 Tests against England in the Ashes, in which he notched up 76 wickets in 33 innings. In the previous Ashes edition (2021/22) held in Australia, he got ruled out after playing the first Test. In the opening game played in Brisbane, he picked up a side strain which forced him to leave his team’s camp.
In the upcoming Test assignment against the English side, Hazlewood’s role will be crucial as England will strive to play bazball cricket and dominate the Aussie side’s bowling unit. Working together with his captain Cummins and Starc, Hazlewood would be expected to deliver a tough time to the visitors.
