Star pacer Josh Hazlewood feels that England will head into the upcoming Ashes 2025-26 with the strongest batting lineup that has toured Australia in recent times.
While speaking at an event to promote Play Cricket week, the seasoned pacer praised England’s batting prowess, in particular Joe Root and Harry Brook, who are ranked first and second respectively in the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings.
The 34-year-old Aussie pacer believes England star Harry Brook will be able to adapt to Australian conditions.
“England has obviously been quite flat wickets recently, the last few years, and it’s been a really dry summer as well, so they are probably starting to get tired and spin now,” Hazlewood said of England’s recent batting exploits in Tests.
“I think (Harry Brook) will adapt. He’s a good player. He’s at the top of the rankings for a reason, and he’ll be a tough challenge. I think a fresh face like Harry Brook might find it easier. There’s no baggage behind him and he can just come out and play with freedom as he does,” he added.
Josh Hazlewood Opens Up On Joe Root’s Performance In Australia
Hazlewood also spoke about the No.1 ranked Men’s Test batter Joe Root, who will be on a quest to break his deadlock for a Test century Down Under.
“When (Root) first came out, it was a little bit of a different attack. It was probably (Mitchell) Johnson and (Ryan) Harris and (Peter) Siddle. Gaz (Nathan Lyon) has been around a long time now, so he was probably there, but we sort of just jumped on the back of that,” he said.
“Joe’s probably in the form of his life as well. So they’re an unbelievable batting line, to be honest. The top seven have done really well…so it’s a challenge,” he added.
Since his first Test outing in Australia back in 2013, Root has played 14 matches in the country, returning with 892 runs, averaging 35.68.
Joe Root’s Red-Hot Form In Last Few Years
England batting icon Joe Root has been in sensational form with the bat over the past couple of years.
During the recent five-Test series against India, Root had surpassed former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-getter in Men’s Test history. The 34-year-old also became the first-ever batter to amass 6000 runs in the ICC World Test Championship.
England’s hopes will be pinned on Root’s form with the bat as they eye their first Test series win against Australia since 2015. The first Ashes Test will kickstart on November 21 in Perth.
Schedule For Australia vs England Ashes 2025-25 Series:
First Test: Perth Stadium, November 21-25
Second Test: Gabba, December 4-8
Third Test: Adelaide Oval, December 17-21
Fourth Test: MCG, December 26-30
Fifth Test: SCG, January 4-8