Hazlewood's 300th Test Wicket: A Milestone That Nearly Didn't Happen

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-08-16

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood reached 300 Test wickets on 15 August 2026, achieving the milestone on the third day of the first Test against Bangladesh at Marrara Stadium in Darwin. He's now the ninth Australian and 42nd bowler in cricket history to hit that mark. The landmark wicket came when Mehidy Hasan Miraz edged one to wicketkeeper Alex Carey—a moment that capped off a remarkable comeback. ### A Comeback for the Ages Hazlewood needed five wickets to reach 300 in Darwin, and he delivered in style. He claimed 6 wickets for 89 runs in a dominant performance that silenced any doubters. This effort marked his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. He also wrapped up the Bangladesh innings by bowling out Ebadot Hossain, finishing with a career tally of 301 wickets. Not bad for a guy who was sidelined for 12 months with an Achilles injury. Before this Test, Hazlewood had played only six of Australia's previous 14 matches. The injury ruled him out of the entire Ashes series, and his spot in the starting eleven was far from guaranteed. Captain Pat Cummins faced a tough call between Hazlewood and Scott Boland, but the team management trusted Hazlewood's long-term record and his "metronomic" accuracy. That faith paid off big time. ### An Elite Club of Australian Legends Hazlewood now stands alongside some of the greatest bowlers in Australian history. He's joined the ranks of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, and Dennis Lillee—names that define the sport. What's even more impressive? Australia now fields a bowling attack where all four members have 300 or more wickets. Hazlewood joins current teammates Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, and Cummins in this exclusive club. Statistically, it's the most successful "four-pronged" attack the game has ever seen. Here's a quick look at the top Australian Test wicket-takers: - Shane Warne: 708 wickets in 145 matches - Nathan Lyon: 568 wickets in 129 matches - Glenn McGrath: 536 wickets in 124 matches - Mitchell Starc: 435 wickets in 89 matches - Dennis Lillee: 355 wickets in 70 matches - Pat Cummins: 316 wickets in 62 matches - Mitchell Johnson: 313 wickets in 73 matches - Brett Lee: 310 wickets in 76 matches - Josh Hazlewood: 301 wickets in 76 matches ### The Match Story: A Tough Battle Despite Hazlewood's heroics, Australia finds itself in a precarious position. Bangladesh posted a massive 426 in their first innings, powered by Tanzid Hasan's 101, Najmul Hossain Shanto's 84, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz's 65. Australia struggled in response, collapsing to 198—228 runs short. By the end of Day 3, Australia was 161/4 in their second innings, still 67 runs behind, with Cameron Green and Alex Carey at the crease. Hazlewood noted the pitch showed signs of variable bounce, which could help the Australian bowlers on the final day. "We feel a win is still possible if we can build pressure," he said. But it wasn't meant to be. Australia was all out on Day 4 for 284, leaving Bangladesh a target of just 57 runs to win the first Test. ### What This Means Going Forward Hazlewood's milestone is a personal triumph, but the bigger picture is about Australia's bowling depth. Having four bowlers with 300-plus wickets in the same attack is unprecedented. It gives the team a level of experience and skill that few sides can match. Even in a losing cause, this performance reminds everyone why Hazlewood is considered one of the most consistent fast bowlers of his generation. The road ahead is challenging, but with a bowling attack this deep, Australia always has a chance. For now, though, it's worth pausing to appreciate what Hazlewood accomplished. From Under-19 cricket to 300 Test scalps, it's been a journey of resilience, skill, and sheer determination.