Josh Hazlewood has become the ninth Australian bowler to claim 300 wickets in Test cricket, a milestone that has added his name to an exclusive list alongside some of the country's greatest names.
Hazlewood achieved the feat on the third day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin, completing the landmark on his way to a 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
The 34-year-old has reached 300 wickets while maintaining an impressive career average of 24.02, which is one of the best figures among Australia's nine 300-wicket bowlers. Only three have better career averages: Glenn McGrath at 21.64, Pat Cummins at 22.21, and Dennis Lillee at 23.92.
Hazlewood's achievement has also created a remarkable first for Australian Test cricket. Australia now have four bowlers in their current playing group who have each taken at least 300 Test wickets, a feat that no other Test team has achieved after all of them reached the milestone.
The milestone was achieved in a match that saw Bangladesh build a commanding 228-run first-innings lead over Australia. The visitors' innings was built around a maiden Test century from Tanzid Hasan, while captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz also contributed half-centuries.
Hazlewood's latest landmark was accompanied by another standout performance with the ball, as he took all four wickets that fell after lunch on the third day and finished with six wickets in Bangladesh's first innings.
Australia also made life harder for themselves in the field, dropping five catches and allowing Bangladesh's lower order to add valuable runs. The strong batting display followed an impressive bowling effort earlier in the match, when Hasan Mahmud claimed six wickets to put Bangladesh in a dominant position.
For Hazlewood, however, the third day produced a personal milestone that further underlined his standing among Australia's finest Test fast bowlers. His 300th wicket places him alongside some of the country's greatest names, while his 14 five-wicket hauls reflect the consistency he has maintained throughout his Test career.
Hazlewood's achievement is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport. As he continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, fans around the world will be watching with interest to see what he achieves next.
The first Test between Australia and Bangladesh is set to continue, with the visitors looking to extend their lead and take control of the match. With Hazlewood's milestone now in the record books, the focus will be on how he and his teammates respond to the challenge ahead.
Source: Yahoo Sports