June 8, 2025: Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood is brimming with confidence ahead of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final against South Africa, declaring that he is currently bowling at the peak of his abilities.
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Fresh off a title-winning campaign with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League, Hazlewood told cricket.com.au that everything is clicking into place — physically and skill-wise.
“To get the chocolates in the IPL was another amazing experience,” said Hazlewood, who played a crucial role in RCB’s historic first IPL title win. “Anytime you play at [Narendra Modi Stadium] and it’s close to a full crowd, it’s pretty cool.”
Hazlewood, 34, missed the 2023 WTC final against India due to injury, a decision that opened the door for Scott Boland, who impressed with a five-wicket haul. This time, Hazlewood feels more prepared — both mentally and physically.
“I feel like I’m bowling the best I have in my career. My numbers over the past two years have been good — it’s just about the body holding up,” he said.
To ensure he’s ready for the five-day grind, Hazlewood has adapted his training approach.
“The intensity is key — we’ve been simulating match-like conditions with back-to-back high-load sessions,” he explained. “Hopefully that leads to better results and fewer injuries.”
During the IPL, Hazlewood kept his intensity high by building up overs before the final and treating each match like a preparation step for red-ball cricket.
“You end up bowling 7–8 overs per game with warm-ups, and I had a few tough back-to-back spells,” he said. “It’s about keeping the rhythm going.”
Hazlewood’s record in England is impressive, with 52 wickets in 12 Tests at an average of 26.07, including two five-wicket hauls — a stat that bodes well for Australia as they prepare for battle at Lord’s.
“It’s all about this week and delivering a good performance,” Hazlewood concluded. “I’m ready.”