Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has made it clear that repeated injury setbacks have not dampened his desire to continue playing international cricket across all three formats. The experienced pacer is determined to extend his career despite another frustrating fitness blow ahead of the 2025–26 Ashes series, a contest that remains close to his heart.
Hazlewood sustained a hamstring injury while representing New South Wales in a Sheffield Shield match in the build-up to the Ashes. At first, the injury was expected to rule him out of only the opening two Tests. Encouragingly, the 34-year-old had returned to bowling in the nets before the second Test in Brisbane.
However, his comeback plans were derailed when he suffered an Achilles injury during training, forcing him to pause his rehabilitation once again. Speaking to Sydney’s Daily Telegraph, Hazlewood insisted that his motivation remains intact. He believes his body is still capable of handling the demands of international cricket, even if injuries have become more frequent.
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The right-arm quick stressed that while missing the odd game is inevitable, he still enjoys the unique challenges that come with switching between Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Josh Hazlewood’s recent injury history paints a frustrating picture.
#JoshHazlewood remains committed to playing all three formats for Australia despite recurring injuries. https://t.co/WR0PnmaD5U
— News18 CricketNext (@cricketnext) December 13, 2025
Since 2022, he has battled a string of setbacks, including side strains, calf issues, hamstring problems, and now Achilles concerns. These recurring injuries have ruled him out of key home Tests, overseas tours, and even major finals, disrupting his rhythm and continuity at the highest level.
Despite those setbacks, there have been glimpses of continuity. Hazlewood managed a brief injury-free run during the IPL, followed by appearances in the World Test Championship final, the West Indies Test series, and select white-ball fixtures. Still, the prospect of missing another home Ashes series is a bitter pill for a bowler who thrives in Australian conditions.
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Hazlewood admitted that injuries just before or during a series make recovery even tougher. Rushing back without adequate match fitness, he explained, can leave a bowler vulnerable. For now, his focus remains on regaining full fitness, building bowling workloads gradually, and giving himself the best chance to continue contributing across formats.
