Why Hazlewood can be a better bowler than McGrath? 

For some people, stats are the key elements to define any aspect of cricket; for some, they do not matter more than the on-field aura. But for me, stats matter but do not present the whole story happening behind the game. Still, I would love to take it into consideration.

While Glenn McGrath (‘Pigeon’ as you might fondly remember him) has bowled with an average of around 21 in Tests, Hazlewood is not far behind him with 25. The former has taken 563 wickets from 243 innings, whereas the latter stands at 215 from 107 innings, however, there have been some considerable variations in the home and away conditions from the past, and Hazlewood is undoubtedly proving himself to be an astute line-and-length bowler.

I won’t say his average is any better than McGrath’s. Still, he has taken wickets when pitches have supported batters more than the bowlers, somewhat contrasting to the previous decade when the pitches down under offered much more pace and bounce.

And, I haven’t reached the point of discussion in the ODI format where batting averages have considerably ascended in the era of the T20Is, still, he has bowled with an economy rate of just 4.7 when it has only grown up for the bowlers. The point might seem a little off, but enough to clarify that he has managed to curb the run rate in the high-scoring age.

Similarity between the two greats

With all the discussion happening, I want to divert your attention towards some similarities. I would not hesitate to say that Josh must have started playing after watching his idol McGrath bowl; you can easily notice him having a similar smooth action.

The point I would now make is how well the pacer has controlled his bowling trajectory to put in some classy tempting deliveries on the fourth stump, and you still might be remembering the Aussie great.

Coming to the first thing I said, McGrath vs Tendulkar can be the battle for the ages, but to express my opinion, Hazlewood has gotten the modern-day great Kohli out four times in One-day cricket. With time, surely the younger pro will get better adding to his tally.

Again, who is best or better may be a matter of opinion, and to most, the era you have grown up in does define what you might like. While McGrath was the most lethal bowler of his time and, of course, in history, Hazlewood, for me, has always been the bowler to watch out for in this decade, whenever and wherever he has bowled.

To put an end to this, Josh Hazlewood is just a contemporary adaptation of Glenn McGrath.