SYDNEY — Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has shrugged off concerns about Australia’s ageing pace attack ahead of the upcoming Ashes series, insisting he feels in top condition and that the group’s experience remains a major strength.
With spinner Nathan Lyon set to turn 38 during the series and left-arm quick Mitchell Starc already 35, questions have been raised about the longevity of Australia’s bowling unit. Captain Pat Cummins, 32, will miss the first Test in Perth, where 36-year-old Scott Boland is expected to step in.
Hazlewood, 34, acknowledged that the core group that has led Australia since the 2017–18 Ashes will eventually change, but said they still have plenty to offer.
“I feel in the best shape I’ve been in a long time,” he told reporters at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. “We’ve bowled together for years, and that understanding gives us a real edge.”
