Josh Hazlewood reached the significant milestone of 300 Test wickets during the first Test match against Bangladesh, held at Marrara Stadium in Darwin. This achievement occurred on the third day of the match as Bangladesh was dismissed for 426 runs. Hazlewood entered the game five wickets shy of the milestone and successfully attained it in his first Test since July of the previous year.

The momentous 300th wicket was that of Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who edged a delivery to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, contributing 65 runs to his team’s total. Following this, Hazlewood quickly wrapped up the Bangladesh innings by having Ebadot Hossain caught behind.

This match marked Hazlewood’s 14th five-wicket haul in Tests, and he had taken six wickets in an innings for the fourth time. His prior six-wicket haul was recorded against India in Bengaluru in 2017, where he ended with figures of 667.

Challenges Faced on the Pitch

The performance showcased Hazlewood’s perseverance on a pitch that presented limited assistance to bowlers, especially as Bangladesh’s top order demonstrated resilience. Although Hazlewood could have claimed an earlier wicket, Nathan Lyon missed a crucial catch off Tanzid Hasan during Hazlewood’s opening spell, allowing Tanzid to build his score to 101 runs.

The Australian bowler subsequently broke a threatening partnership between Tanzid and Mominul Haque, successfully dismissing Mominul for a catch behind on the second morning. Upon taking the second new ball, Hazlewood removed Najmul Hossain Shanto for 84 runs with a delivery pitched round the wicket.

Amidst difficult conditions under the Darwin sun, he maintained a disciplined line and length, eventually trapping Hasan Mahmud lbw. Hazlewood also managed to secure Taijul Islam’s wicket, as he edged a delivery to Cameron Green in the gully. His decisive return after lunch saw him achieve his 300th wicket before swiftly eliminating Ebadot Hossain to conclude the innings.

Hazlewood’s Position and Historic Context

Prior to this match, Hazlewood’s place in the Australian team was not guaranteed, having participated in only six of Australia’s last 14 Tests due to an Achilles injury that sidelined him for the previous year. This lengthy absence had enabled Scott Boland to make a case for a regular position within the squad. Captain Pat Cummins admitted that choosing between Hazlewood and Boland was a challenging decision, but Hazlewood’s extensive record since his debut in 2014 ultimately influenced the selection.

Hazlewood’s milestone places him among a unique group in Australian cricket history. He now joins fellow players Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, and Cummins in the 300-wicket club, making them the only bowling squad in Test history consisting of four members each holding over 300 wickets. Lyon leads the current Australian players with 568 wickets, followed by Starc with 435 and Cummins with 316.

On the all-time Australian wicket-takers list, Shane Warne holds the record with 708, followed by Glenn McGrath with 563 wickets, Dennis Lillee with 355, Mitchell Johnson with 313, and Brett Lee with 310. Hazlewood’s career bowling average stands impressively at 24.02, placing him among the top elite bowlers. Only McGrath, Cummins, and Lillee have better averages among the nine Australians who have taken 300 Test wickets.

After the day’s play, Hazlewood acknowledged the milestone, stating that while individual achievements are not often at the forefront during matches, it is something he would reflect upon in the future. Bangladesh’s innings total of 426 granted them a first-innings lead of 228 runs, after Australia was bowled out for 198 on the first day. Hazlewood noted that the conditions were challenging but praised Bangladesh for their ability to play well and make it difficult to take wickets.

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