Test ace relishes chance to emerge from T20 shadows
AUSTRALIAN fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has declared he is more confident in T20 cricket before a World Cup where he looms as a key after his leading role in Chennai’s Indian Premier League championship win.
Hazlewood linked with the Australian squad in the United Arab Emirates as the only fast bowler with any significant match practice after taking 11 wickets in nine matches for the Super Kings, including two in last week’s final.
The 30-year-old has seen limited T20 action for Australia in recent seasons, with only 17 internationals since his first in 2013.
But he joined Mitchell Starc in leading the attack on whiteball tours of the West Indies and Bangladesh in July and August.
While Starc returned home, and with Pat Cummins also stuck in lockdown in NSW, Hazlewood continued on to the IPL, getting used to the searing heat Australia will face in three daytime World Cup games.
“That was my thinking going in, the conditions here, it’s quite hot, just getting a run of games in T20 cricket leading into the World Cup, it’s been perfect,” he said. “(Chennai) was a very experienced team and a great one to be around in T20, which I haven’t played a lot of, to learn a lot on the run. It was pretty exciting to win the final.”
Cummins is yet to complete his quarantine having arrived late in the UAE after the birth of his first child.
At best he would be available for Australia’s warm-up game against India on October 20, before the opening game against South Africa on October 23.
It could mean Hazlewood and Starc lead the attack, and armed with growing confidence Hazlewood said he felt assured about what he could bring.
“Every game is different, even in the T20 format, and you learn every time,” he said.
“It’s just getting that continuity of games and I feel pretty confident in my role now.
“I’m feeling more confident every situation I am in.”
Australia is seventh in the T20 rankings after eight losses in 10 games against the Windies and Bangladesh.