Josh Reginald Hazlewood, born January 8, 1991, in Tamworth, New South Wales, is an Australian international cricketer best known for his precise bowling and breathtaking consistency. Usually compared to the legendary Glenn McGrath, Hazlewood has established himself as one of the world's most reliable pace bowlers.
Hazlewood began his career playing backyard cricket matches with his older brother, a game that would take him to the top of the sport. He was playing against men at 12 years old in Tamworth, showing an early indication of what he was capable of.
CAPTION: From humble beginnings to fearsome fast bowler — Josh Hazlewood's story is pure grit and greatness. SOURCE: Instagram His rapid growth led to a first-class match against New Zealand in November 2008 and an ODI match against England in June 2010. Hazlewood's early life was marked by fast growth, which showed his ability to become an elite bowler.
Hazlewood has been a strength of Australia's bowling team across all formats. He got his Test match debut in India's tour of Australia in December 2014, taking seven wickets in the match. He delivered crucial performances for Australia when the side won several ICC tournaments like the 2015 Cricket World Cup, the 2021 T20 World Cup, the 2021–2023 ICC World Test Championship, and the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
Hazlewood is renowned for timeless performances like his 5-3-8-5 spell against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (2020–21), which demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure.
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Hazlewood was the vice-captain of Tests following the 2018 ball-tampering controversy and captained Australia in an ODI. He has also been rated among the top bowlers across all formats by the ICC rankings. His leadership roles speak about his maturity and ability to undertake responsibilities other than bowling.
CAPTION: With a keen eye for the game and a tactical mind, Hazlewood’s leadership shines through in every match. SOURCE: Instagram Hazlewood's experience and strategic abilities have turned him into a valuable asset for the Australian team, not just yielding success on the field but also off-field leadership.
Hazlewood began his IPL journey with Chennai Super Kings in 2020 but was later acquired by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the 2022 IPL auction for ₹7.75 crore. RCB retained him despite injuries for ₹12.5 crore before the 2025 IPL season. Hazlewood has taken 35 wickets in 31 IPL matches at a great average of 23.14. His IPL performances have been stellar, indicating his adaptability to play under diverse conditions and formats.
Hazlewood has played for various sides at home as well as away, including Australia, Australia A, New South Wales, Sydney Sixers, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Chennai Super Kings. Hazlewood has learned to maintain a versatile game style through this exposure to sides.
CAPTION: Hazlewood’s success knows no bounds — from domestic cricket to international glory, his versatility has been the key to his career. SOURCE: Instagram His expertise across these sides has helped him learn to manage varied environments as a part of his game skill set. Adaptability has helped Hazlewood excel with varied forms and teams.
Hazlewood has received several awards and accolades throughout his career. He was awarded the ICC Men's Emerging Cricketer of the Year in 2015 and has been ranked among the top bowlers in general by ICC ratings. He has claimed several five-wicket hauls in Test cricket, further solidifying his reputation as one of the world's best fast bowlers.
Hazlewood's professional life has been marred by persistent injuries. He was ruled out of key games in India's tour (2018–19) and the World Cup due to back issues. Injuries also ruled him out of parts of the Test series against India (2024) and Sri Lanka (2025). Despite all this, Hazlewood remains committed to his craft, always working to become fitter and improve. His resilience in the face of adversity has earned him a place of respect among the cricketing community.
Josh Hazlewood remains one of Australia's greatest fast bowlers, contributing significantly to their modern pace legacy while dominating all forms. His dedication and resilience have made him a legend in cricket.
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