Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has praised England’s batting order ahead of the much-anticipated Ashes 2025, calling it one of the best he has faced in his international career. Speaking during an event promoting Play Cricket Week, Hazlewood acknowledged that England’s current batting depth and quality make them an extremely tough opponent.
The bowler singled out Joe Root and Harry Brook, who are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the ICC Men’s Test batting charts, as prime examples of the strength England carries into the Ashes. According to him, the team’s current batting form represents one of the most challenging line-ups in recent history.
Root and Brook Leading the Charge
Hazlewood was particularly impressed with Harry Brook, describing the young batter as fearless and refreshingly free of “baggage,” which allows him to play with great freedom and confidence. Brook’s rise to the No. 2 spot in the Test rankings, behind Root, underlines his consistency and adaptability across conditions. Hazlewood noted that Brook’s ability to rotate strike and shift gears when required makes him a dangerous prospect.
As for Joe Root, Hazlewood believes the England veteran is in the best phase of his career. With years of experience and an exceptional run of form, Root’s batting adds stability to the otherwise aggressive English approach. Combined with other in-form batters in the line-up, Hazlewood said England’s top seven looks exceptionally strong, posing a stiff challenge for the Australian bowlers in the upcoming series.
Conditions and Challenges Ahead
Despite England’s strong performances, Hazlewood pointed out that conditions have played a role in shaping recent results. He observed that the dry English summer produced unusually flat pitches, which tested batters’ patience and often tilted the balance towards spin bowling. While this created difficulties for England in certain matches, Hazlewood emphasized that the overall strength of the batting unit remains unquestionable.
The Australian speedster believes that this English side, under the guidance of Root and the emerging brilliance of Brook, has the ability to dominate in the Ashes. However, he also underlined that the pressure of a high-stakes series and Australia’s experienced bowling attack could test even the best. With both teams gearing up for what promises to be a thrilling contest, Hazlewood’s comments reflect the respect Australia has for England’s batting strength going into the Ashes 2025.
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