‘We’re not too old yet’: Josh Hazlewood shuts down critics of Australia’s ageing bowling attack ahead of Ashes

Pacer Josh Hazlewood on Saturday dismissed concerns over Australia’s ageing bowling attack, insisting that the unit’s collective experience is one of its strengths ahead of the Ashes series.

Australia’s 15-member squad for the first Ashes Test comprises 14 players over the age of 30. Their spin attack will be spearheaded by Nathan Lyon, who turns 38 a day before the opening Test begins in Perth on November 21. The pace battery includes Mitchell Starc (35), Hazlewood (34), and Scott Boland (36), while skipper Pat Cummins, who will miss the first Test, is 32.

“I think the experience, not just through red-ball cricket, through all the formats, you put all the pieces together. You’ve been in so many situations now out in the middle that you’ve learned a lot over the years, not just as an individual but as a group.

“We bounce off each other out there and know each other’s game so well and help each other out there,” Hazlewood was quoted as saying by ‘Australian Associated Press’ (AAP).

“There’ll come a time no doubt (when the team is too old), but I don’t think it’s yet. We’ve been together a long time, taken a heap of wickets, but the times off the field as well have been so great.

“We know each other so well, so we can pull each other up from time to time when the rhythm’s not quite there,” he added. Hazlewood, who is five wickets shy of the 300-mark in Tests, said he is not overly focused on the personal milestone.

With PTI Inputs.