Josh Hazlewood returns to Test cricket after 13-month injury layoff

Josh Hazlewood returns to Test cricket after a 13-month injury absence as Australia prepares to host Bangladesh in a two-Test series beginning in Darwin on August 13. The 35-year-old pacer will lead Australia's pace attack having recovered from the injury that sidelined him for over a year. Hazlewood has played 76 Tests but has never been part of an Australian team that won a Test series in India or England.

Australia last won an away Ashes series in 2001, while their most recent Test series victory in India came in 2004. Hazlewood has expressed his desire to achieve series wins in both countries before retirement. Bangladesh arrives in Australia on Friday and will play a four-day warm-up match against Cricket Australia XI before the opening Test.

The series provides Hazlewood with an opportunity to regain full fitness and form ahead of Australia's future commitments. His return strengthens Australia's pace resources significantly.