A delivery outside off-stump brought the wicket of Mehidy Hasan Miraz for Josh Hazlewood. With that he became the ninth Australian bowler to take 300 Test wickets after claiming his 14th five-wicket haul against Bangladesh in the first Test in Darwin.
The 35-year-old joined Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc in Australia’s 300-wicket club. The four are the first group of bowlers to play Test cricket together for Australia after each reaching the landmark.
Hazlewood started the match five wickets short of 300. He had played only six of Australia’s previous 14 Tests and none in the last 12 months because of injury. His place ahead of Scott Boland had been discussed before the Test.
He responded with a strong performance as Australia struggled to make regular breakthroughs on a good batting surface.
Hazlewood had an early chance on the opening day when Lyon dropped a catch in his first over. Tanzid Hasan, on nought at the time, went on to score 101. Hazlewood later dismissed Mominul Haque to break a key partnership.
He removed Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for 84 with the second new ball before striking again on the third morning. Hasan Mahmud was trapped lbw, while Taijul Islam was caught at gully by Cameron Green.
Hazlewood reached 300 wickets after Mehidy Hasan Miraz edged behind following lunch on the third day. He then dismissed Ebadot Hossain to complete his fourth Test six-wicket haul and first since 2016.
He finished with 6 for 89 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 426, giving them a 228-run first-innings lead.
After reaching the milestone, Hazlewood said such achievements were not something he thought about while playing. He added that sharing the 300-wicket club with Lyon, Cummins and Starc was special.
“But I guess just to see the other names there, and I’m playing with three of them, so yeah, it’s pretty cool.”
