Josh Hazlewood makes RETIREMENT declaration on Australia's pace trio ahead of Ashes

The premier Australia National Cricket Team speedster Josh Hazlewood has finally opened up on the rumours of the retirement of the famed Aussie pace trio.

Josh Hazlewood said that he, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc still love Test cricket and would play for Australia together beyond the Ashes 2025-26.

Mitchell Starc says goodbye to T20Is; Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins still all-format stars

Starc, 35, recently announced his retirement from T20I cricket in order to focus on Tests and ODIs, with the 2027 Cricket World Cup in mind. The most senior player among the pace trio, Starc, played 65 T20Is for Australia and was a part of the 2021 T20 World Cup-winning side.

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Mitchell Starc is now a two-format player, but that is not the case with Josh Hazlewood, 34, and Pat Cummins, 32. Cummins and Hazlewood are available as all-format players, but might not play all the games going forward due to the age factor and workload management.

Hazlewood is quite an injury-prone bowler and has missed out on a lot of action in the last few years due to his fitness issues. On the other hand, Cummins is currently dealing with a lumbar bone stress injury and is highly doubtful for the start of the Ashes 2025-26.

I think we've still got a few more games left in us yet - Josh Hazlewood

Some rumours suggested that the upcoming Ashes could be the last time Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Pat Cummins would be seen in action together.

However, Hazelwood shut down the rumours, stating that everyone of them still loves Test cricket and would be looking forward to being involved in the red-ball format for at least the next two years.

"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," Hazlewood was quoted as saying by SEN Radio.

"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," added Hazlewood.

Also Read: BCCI selector confronts Gautam Gambhir over Sanju Samson’s looming axing for Asia Cup 2025

We've got good Shield bowlers at every state - Hazlewood

Australia might be the most successful in cricket, but life after Cummins, Hazlewood, and Starc doesn't look quite promising, as the next generation of pacers has not looked very impressive.

However, Josh Hazlewood thinks otherwise. The Aussie pacer believes that there are very good young speedsters in the country, and there will never be a shortage of fast bowlers in Australia.

"I probably don't want to name names, but I think there's been a lot coming through the white-ball system in the last few years. We've got good Shield bowlers at every state, and I think it's just a matter of opportunity once they get their chance in Test colours.

"In that format, I think they'll do a great job so there's never any shortage of fast bowlers around Australia I don't think," he added.