Tamworth-based Aaron Hazlewood said he "couldn't be more proud" of his Bendemeer-raised younger brother after he backed up his nine wickets in the third Test with an inspired spell on day three of the fourth Test at Manchester overnight, which boosted Australia's chances of winning the match and retaining the Ashes.

"He's very happy with the way he's bowling at the minute," Aaron said. "Obviously, he got nine wickets in the last Test, and he's got four so far this Test. So everyone's obviously pretty proud about how he's going about his business."

England finished day three at 5-200, with Hazlewood taking 4-48 off 20 overs. Australia made 8-497 declared in the first innings.

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Aaron said: "You know, that spell he bowled this morning, the Poms were looking pretty good [at 2-166] ... and then all of a sudden they're 5-200."

Aaron said Hazlewood's spell overnight "definitely seemed as good as he's ever bowled". "He was definitely upset that he didn't make it to the World Cup squad. He obviously thought he was fit enough to play in it. But, obviously, in hindsight it's worked out pretty well, hasn't it?"

Aaron - a destructive Old Boys allrounder who took 9-18 when his brother played for the club in a one-off match in March - said his parents, Trevor and Anne, were at the fourth Test and would return to Australia at its completion.

"So hopefully he can pick up a few more [wickets] this innings and the next [innings] and retain the Ashes while they're still there," Aaron said.

Controversially left out of the World Cup this year and the first Ashes Test, Hazlewood has taken 16 wicket in the series at an average of 16.50 and with a best of 5-30. Only fellow Aussie quick Pat Cummins (18 wickets) and England paceman Stuart Broad (17) have taken more wickets, although they have played every Test.

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