Beyond the immediate impact on the match result, the performance saw Hazlewood reach a significant personal milestone. By taking his match tally to eight wickets—having secured two in the first innings—Hazlewood moved to 311 career Test wickets. This total officially pushed him past the legendary
A climb up the Australian record books
The achievement elevates Hazlewood to eighth place on Australia's all-time list of leading Test wicket-takers and sixth among the nation's fast bowlers. He now sits just two wickets behind Mitchell Johnson, who holds 313. The list remains headed by spin icons Shane Warne with 708 wickets and Nathan Lyon with 573.
Hazlewood’s climb through the global rankings was equally notable during the Durban encounter. His haul allowed him to surpass several international greats, including Fred Trueman, Lance Gibbs, Morne Morkel, and Kemar Roach. He is now level with Indian seamers Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan, both of whom also recorded 311 Test dismissals.
Dismantling the South African chase
Entering the final day of play, South Africa faced an uphill battle, resuming at 102/4 and requiring a further 319 runs for an improbable victory. Hazlewood ensured the hosts’ resistance was short-lived, spearheading an Australian bowling attack that eventually bowled the opposition out for 206.
The pacer’s decisive spell began by removing Wiaan Mulder, who had provided stubborn resistance with 29 runs from 109 balls. Hazlewood then struck twice in a single over, breaching the defense of Marco Jansen for 35 before dismissing Simon Harmer. While Mitchell Starc contributed by ending Aiden Markram’s determined 75-run innings, it was fitting that Hazlewood returned to claim the final wicket of Anrich Nortje, cementing his career-best figures and confirming Australia's dominant win.
