Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has defended modern Test batters, saying that an average of 35 today could be comparable to an average of 45 a decade ago. Hazlewood called the tougher batting conditions, especially against the new Kookaburra ball, a major reason for the change.
Australia are preparing for their Test series against South Africa, with the first match scheduled in Durban on October 9. Hazlewood recently made a successful return to red-ball cricket during Australia's two-match home series against Bangladesh, where he also reached the milestone of 300 Test wickets.
Josh Hazlewood Defends Modern Batting Averages
Speaking to Channel 7, Josh Hazlewood stated that batting averages should be viewed differently in modern Test cricket. Hazlewood said that the traditional approach of scoring 500 or 550 runs in the first innings is no longer realistic on many pitches, and 280 can be a winning score.
"We know the wickets are tougher than they probably have been in the past, particularly in the first 20 or 30 overs when the Kookaburra is at its newest. In Australia, it's very tough batting, and it might be the case that 280 is a great score as opposed to when I first came into the Test team, when you needed 500 or late 400s," Hazlewood said.
"Things have changed a lot, and probably averaging 35 with the bat is potentially the same as averaging 45 ten years ago. I think the wickets have changed that much. So we'll see what we get this year in our Test matches and the Sheffield Shield as well, but the boys have been doing a fantastic job," he added.
Is 35 the new 45? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/bcllkeWMqV
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) August 31, 2026
Josh Hazlewood Makes Successful Test Return Against Bangladesh
Josh Hazlewood returned to Test cricket after more than a year away during Australia's two-match home series against Bangladesh. He made an immediate impact, taking seven wickets in the first Test in Darwin before adding another wicket in the second Test in Mackay.
During the first Test in Darwin, Hazlewood took six wickets for 89 runs in Bangladesh's first innings. He finished the match with seven wickets and reached the 300-wicket milestone in Test cricket during his impressive spell.
The second Test in Mackay lasted only two days. Hazlewood bowled tightly and finished with figures of 1/18 in the first innings as Australia's other pacers completed an innings victory.
Josh Hazlewood Set for South Africa Test Series
Josh Hazlewood is expected to be included in Australia's squads for the upcoming ODI series against Zimbabwe and South Africa before the Test squad for the South Africa series is confirmed next week. The first Test is scheduled to begin in Durban on October 9.
The South Africa tour will carry added significance for Australia. The team has not played a Test series in the country since the 2018 Cape Town Test, which became infamous after the ball-tampering scandal.
Hazlewood is one of five Australian players still involved from that Test. Australia have since returned to South Africa for white-ball series in 2020 and 2023, but the upcoming red-ball tour is expected to attract much greater attention.
Hazlewood has taken 303 wickets from 78 Test matches at an average of 24.00. He has been particularly effective at home, where he has taken 176 wickets at 22.39. Away from Australia, he has claimed 125 wickets at an average of 25.96.
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