Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood he set his sights on winning the Test series in South Africa, India and England as the team prepares for a busy schedule over the next 12 months.Australia are expected to play at least 20 Tests during this period, including away series in South Africa, India and the Ashes in England. Hazlewood, 35, 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 Ashes series in 2001, while their last Test series win in India was in 2004.“This group has been together for a long time, mostly, anyway,” Hazlewood said, as quoted by Cricbuzz. “The big series are obviously England and India. I haven’t won yet in South Africa, so there are three coming up that are a few boxes to tick off there for not only me, but from this whole playing group.”“I think it has been a driving factor during this preparation, sort of in the back of your head, and also the months leading up to it. Some really big Test series, and they are all away, obviously the big ones. Tough competition, and I hope we have the job done.”Hazlewood is also hoping to return to the Test side after missing the Ashes last summer due to hamstring and Achilles injuries. If selected, it will be his first Test in 13 months, the longest gap of his career between Test appearances.He could compete with Scott Boland for the third fast bowler spot in the playing XI. Chief selector George Bailey has previously indicated that Boland has closed the gap in the race for selection.Hazlewood said he would like to play more Tests alongside Boland, who has often missed out whenever Australia’s three first-choice fast bowlers have all been available.“I think [Boland and I have] played only one game together – at Edgbaston [in the 2023 Ashes] – and I’d like to play more with Scotty,” Hazlewood said. “We’re obviously a bit similar, but I think there’s a lot of differences in our bowling as well.”Australia will begin their two-match Test series against Bangladesh in Darwin on August 13.
