Josh Hazlewood Dismisses Concerns Over Australia’s Ageing Bowling Attack Ahead of Ashes 2025

As the countdown to the Ashes 2025 intensifies, veteran pacer Josh Hazlewood has brushed aside concerns surrounding Australia’s so-called “ageing” bowling attack, asserting that experience and chemistry will give them the edge against England when the series begins on November 21 in Perth.

Australia’s 15-member Ashes squad, unveiled earlier this week, drew mixed reactions from critics, particularly in the UK, where tabloids dubbed the lineup “Dad’s Army”—a reference to the fact that only one player, Cameron Green, is under 30. But Hazlewood, 34, insists the description is both unfair and inaccurate.

“I feel in the best shape I’ve been in for years,” Hazlewood told reporters at the Sydney Cricket Ground. “We’ve played together for so long that we know each other’s games inside out. That understanding and trust can’t be taught—it’s built through years of playing in tough conditions.”

Australia’s Veteran Core Still in Command

The likely pace trio for the opening Test—Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Scott Boland—has been instrumental in Australia’s success across formats. Starc, 35, remains the team’s strike weapon with his trademark swing and pace, while Boland, 36, continues to be a model of consistency in home conditions.

Captain Pat Cummins, at 32, is the youngest of the bowling quartet but will miss the first Test to manage workload before rejoining the squad later in the series. Meanwhile, Nathan Lyon, set to turn 38 during the Ashes, will once again lead the spin department. Lyon is just a few wickets shy of surpassing Glenn McGrath to become Australia’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test history, behind only the late Shane Warne.

Experience Over Age

Hazlewood and Lyon both emphasized that modern sports science, fitness regimes, and recovery tools have significantly extended players’ careers. “The game has evolved,” Lyon remarked earlier this week. “Professionalism, data analysis, and recovery methods keep us in peak condition. Age is just a number—it doesn’t define performance.”

Hazlewood echoed that sentiment, pointing to the unit’s collective experience as a decisive advantage. “We’ve faced every situation together—whether defending small totals or bowling on flat tracks. That knowledge helps us adapt better than most.”

Transition Not Yet on the Horizon

While Hazlewood acknowledged that the team will eventually need to hand over responsibilities to the next generation, he firmly believes that the core group still has plenty left to offer. “There’ll come a time when we move on, sure, but I don’t think it’s now,” he said confidently.

Australia, who have retained the Ashes urn since 2017, will look to extend their dominance when the series kicks off in Perth. With one of the most experienced bowling attacks in world cricket, Hazlewood’s message is clear—age may be visible on paper, but experience remains Australia’s deadliest weapon on the field.