IPL 2026: How Josh Hazlewood’s Test-match lengths boosted Marco Jansen’s fortunes
Marco Jansen's cricket journey, from rugby to a consistent performer for South Africa and Punjab Kings, is remarkable. Inspired by Josh Hazlewood's metronomic bowling, Jansen has embraced his unique strengths, focusing on hard lengths. He's adapted his game, particularly for bowling with the older ball, proving effective even without new-ball swing.
NEW DELHI: Marco Jansen’s evolution as a cricketer is one of the standout stories over the last year and a half. Besides his impactful cameos with the bat down the order, he has consistently shouldered the responsibility with the ball for South Africa. In the IPL, he has come into his own as a bankable player for Punjab Kings.
It has been a remarkable rise for someone who only took up cricket as a career at the age of 17 after giving up on pursuing rugby. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
At the age of 25, Jansen found his calling by bowling the hard length across formats. He has managed to be unfazed by the chaotic world of T20 cricket, which demands a range of variations from bowlers. Importantly, Australia’s metronomic Josh Hazlewood has been the inspiration behind his transformation as a cricketer.
“It doesn’t surprise me because Josh Hazlewood does the exact same thing,” Jansen said, responding to a query from TOI on the consistent ‘Test-match’ lengths he bowls irrespective of formats. “People ask the same question (about him). How does he just hit a length and pick up wickets?