With one of the busiest periods in Australian cricket history looming, all eyes will be on how the nation’s star-studded fast-bowling attack is managed over the next 18 months.
Australia’s schedule begins with next month’s two-Test home series against Bangladesh before building into a demanding run of cricket that includes tours of South Africa, India and England, as well as a four-Test home series against New Zealand.
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Should Australia qualify for another World Test Championship final, the side could play as many as 21 Tests over the period.
Speaking to the media in Brisbane ahead of the Bangladesh series, Josh Hazlewood admitted Australia’s pace attack will need to be carefully managed, but after another frustrating injury setback, his own focus remains firmly fixed on the opening Test.
DAILY TELEGRAPH TUESDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER 2025. Pictured at the Sydney Cricket Ground at Moore Park in Sydney are Australian quick bowlers Josh Hazelwood and Mitchell Starc from the Australian MenÃs Cricket Teams at the launch of AustraliaÃs 2025 Series Uniforms by Asics. Picture: Richard DobsonSource: News Corp Australia
Having missed Australia’s home Ashes campaign through injury, Hazlewood said the longer lead-in to the Bangladesh series has allowed him to build his workloads in a way that simply hasn’t been possible in recent years.
“I feel like I’ve still played a fair bit of cricket. I’ve probably just missed the ones at home in the last few years,” Hazlewood said.
“We’ve got some nice lead-in this time.
“We’ve got Test matches abroad leading in, so it’s hopefully hit the ground running again in Australia, but a lot of cricket to go before then.“
Despite the daunting schedule ahead, Hazlewood insists he isn’t looking beyond the immediate challenge.
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“I’m probably looking at it as Test one of one,” he said.
“I think every time you look ahead in sport, it can bite you pretty quickly.
“So I’ve always done that. I’ve looked at literally day in, day out.
“Everything else is a long way away. I’m just taking it as it comes.”
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While the experienced quick is concentrating solely on Bangladesh, he concedes Australia’s fast bowlers are unlikely to make it through the schedule unscathed.
“I don’t think there’ll be any bowler who plays every Test.”
There’ll definitely be periods there where a bowler’s cooked, or two bowlers are cooked.
Australia’s fast-bowling stocks will be tested like never before, with Josh Hazlewood admitting no quick is likely to survive the next 18 months without a spell on the sidelines.Source: FOX SPORTS
“We’ve got the games in India as well, which can go back to two quicks, even one sometimes with an all-rounder. So a few options there to rest some guys.”
Unlike previous campaigns, Hazlewood revealed Australia’s preparation has been designed specifically for the demands of Test cricket, with the squad able to gradually build workloads without the interruptions of white-ball cricket.
“This has been sort of tailor-made for a Test match, which I think should work out well,” he said.
“It’s been trying to replicate a day in the field of Test cricket really. It’s bowling multiple spells in a day, it’s bowling back-to-back days.
“Leading into other Test series and Test matches, you’re playing T20, you’re playing one-days, you’re travelling. So it’s tough to fit those bowling sessions in.”
The uninterrupted preparation has also allowed Australia’s quicks to better manage their bodies throughout camp.
“If we’re not feeling great, then you sort of don’t have to bowl that day. It’s not like a white-ball game where you have to play again,” Hazlewood said.
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“There’s been other moments where we’re feeling good, let’s bowl back-to-back again.”
Hazlewood’s return also reignites one of Australia’s biggest selection debates, with Scott Boland once again pressing his case after another outstanding run of performances.
Rather than viewing Boland as competition, Hazlewood hopes the pair will spend far more time sharing the new ball over the next 18 months.
“I’d love to play more with Scotty,” Hazlewood said.
“Every time he’s come in, he’s done unbelievably well. His career just keeps getting better and better the older he gets.
“I think there’s enough opportunities in the next 12 months, 18 months for us to play a lot of cricket, hopefully together.”
Australiaâs Scott Boland celebrates the wicket of Englandâs Joe Root on day four of the fifth Ashes cricket Test between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on January 7, 2026. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE –Source: AFP
With Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood and Boland leading Australia’s pace attack, while Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett remain ready to step in, Hazlewood believes the nation’s depth will be crucial throughout the demanding stretch.
“I think we’ll have to lean on all six at some point in the next sort of 18 months.”
“It’s very important. I think it speaks for itself what happened last year.
“Patty played one Test, I played none, and Ness and Doggy jumped in when they needed, and we won the series.
“I think that speaks for itself,” he said.
Despite the workload awaiting the Australians, Hazlewood says the group remains motivated by the opportunity to achieve what few Australian teams have managed before.
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“The big series are obviously England and India,” Hazlewood said.
“South Africa’s another one. I haven’t won in South Africa either.
“So there’s three that are coming up where we’ve got a few boxes to tick off there from this whole playing group.”