Hazlewood leads race to be Cummins’ fill-in
JOSH Hazlewood believes he is in the box seat to deputise for Pat Cummins if the Australian captain misses further matches before and during next year’s ODI World Cup.
Selectors are yet to learn if David Warner will become a captaincy option as Cricket Australia continues to drag its feet on when his leadership will be decided at an independent hearing.
Hazlewood would appear to be ahead of Steve Smith and Alex Carey as next captain should Cummins be unavailable, although selectors have a leadership group rather than a nominated No.2.
“I think at this stage, probably, yes,” he said when asked if he was now the first-choice fill-in captain.
“It’s hard to say though. I’m a fast bowler as well and I might be missing here and there as well.
“We’ve obviously got ‘Smithy’, who was vice-captain tonight, and down the chain there’s another couple in the leadership group.
“So there’s plenty of options there and even out in the middle there was a number of senior players I can talk to and get their opinions.”
The decision to go with Hazlewood shocked most, but not the man himself.
“I’ve been in and around the strategy meetings and the leadership groups for a number of years and I guess with Patty sitting out then it was a good opportunity to get a game under my belt and obviously if Patty plays the next game then pass it back,” he said.
Hazlewood has not captained since he was a schoolboy, but did not look out of place taking two wickets as he and bowlers Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa destroyed England by 72 runs to claim the ODI series 2-0 in Sydney on Saturday night.
Well regarded and possessing an even temperament, he said he was honoured and satisfied by his ascension to be Australia’s 28th ODI captain.
“It was pretty exciting first of all I think. And a little bit nerve-racking. But I think once you got into a stride on the field it was good fun,” Hazlewood said.
“I certainly enjoyed it and it was a bit of a challenge there obviously while that partnership was going.”