Australia has been the clear victor against England in the ongoing Ashes series 2025-26. The home team has already gotten through the first three Tests in the five-match series with three consecutive wins thus taking an insurmountable lead of 3-0.
On the other hand, Australia even-facing some issues has been doing really good in the home Ashes till now.
Over the past few months, the Australian cricketers have had their ups and downs but none more than their injured fast bowlers. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, two-thirds of Australia’s established pace bowlers, have been plagued by the injuries since the beginning of the Ashes. Hazlewood has been declared to miss the whole series while Cummins will be sitting out the last two Tests after only having participated during the third Test in Adelaide.
On the other hand, Australia might have been able to let out a sigh of relief in their struggle to cope with the injuries of the senior pacers. They might have the situation under control thanks to the rise of NSW pacer Liam Hatcher as one of the brightest pace-bowling prospects, particularly in red-ball cricket.
So, let’s see how Liam Hatcher could be the one stable option for Australia to think of their pace attack after the current trio quits the game.
The injury issues in the Ashes force Australia to wade through and rethink Their pace-bowlers are constantly changing and they are now in a slightly more difficult spot than before. They were already struggling at the bowling end with the absence of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins due to injuries. The absence of these two top fast bowlers left a huge gap in the pace attack of the Australians which was almost filled by the aged Starc. Without Starc’s individual brilliance, however, the still continue pace-bowling problems can’t really be covered up.
Ashes in Perth opener; Australia was left no choice but to debut the next big thing, Brendan Doggett, to fill-up the big ones Cummins-Hazlewood. The debutant was accompanied by Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc as the pace unit with all-rounder Cameron Green fitting in as the fourth pacer. Moreover, in the second Test, they dropped Nathan Lyon to bring in Michael Neser as the fourth pacer, alongside the existing trio of Starc, Boland, and Doggett.
Captain Cummins returned to the XI in the third Test after his pace-bowling partner Josh Hazlewood was ruled out for the entire series. Just days after the win in Adelaide, the Aussie camp was hit with news about Cummins being ruled out for the rest of the Ashes 2025-26.
Thus, the continuous difficulties along with the injury issues have led the Australian think tank to a point where they have to consider the future of their pace bowling line-up.
Liam Hatcher’s breakthrough on the occasion may be a source of relief for Australia
The New South Wales pacer Liam Hatcher has wowed everybody with his bowling in the current edition of the Sheffield Shield 2025-26. Besides being the hero of the current season, Hatcher has also been the most effective pacer over his whole First-Class career up to now.
Liam Hatcher in Sheffield Shield 2025-26
Criterion Data
Matches 5
Innings 8
Wickets 22
Economy Rate 3.84
Strike Rate 30.27
BBI 5/88
4w/5w 1/1
Currently, he has taken 22 wickets in the ongoing Sheffield Shield tournament through just eight innings with an economy of 3.84; moreover, he has even achieved a four-wicket and a five-wicket haul. He is now, after Cameron Gannon, the second-highest wicket-taker in the competition at present. He is also, besides, the leading wicket-taker of New South Wales in the current edition of the tournament.
Liam Hatcher in his First-Class career
Criterion Data
Matches 24
Innings 40
Wickets 80
Economy Rate 3.90
Strike Rate 45.2
BBI 5/88
BBM 8/117
4w/5w 7/1
In the whole of Hatcher’s First-Class career, 80 wickets have been claimed by him in just 40 innings that too, at an economy rate of 3.90, with seven four-wicket hauls and a five-wicket haul. His progress in the red-ball cricket at the domestic level is something that needs Aussie management’s attention.
Height of 6’1” and being the right-arm pacer, he possibly is the most suitable replacement for the injured and ageing Josh Hazlewood. His CV as a domestic First-Class pacer pretty much suits him as one of the key players in Australia’s future pace-bowling trio.
Conclusion: Time to resolve pace-bowling concerns
With two senior pacers already struggling with the injury issues and avoiding the major assignments, Australia are left with an urgent need to resolve their pace-bowling issues. Brendan Doggett’s recent Test debut has left two spots to be filled by Aussie management.
Liam Hatcher, aged 29, is one of the two players that can be selected. He has the capability to continue serving Australia for the coming five to six years. As for the second position, the Australian team must look for another fast bowler under 30 years who could eventually work alongside Doggett and Hatcher.