New leadership role sitting well with Hazlewood
JOSH Hazlewood made his debut for New South Wales when he was just 17.
He played his first one-day international for Australia at 19.
It took another four years for the big quick from Tamworth to play the first of his 42 Tests. Back injuries halted a march to the baggy green which was never in doubt.
And Hazlewood has hardly missed a match since, becoming a mainstay of the Test team, a senior player.
Now he’s got the voice to go with his standing, and having assumed the all-important vice-captaincy role to rookie skipper Tim Paine, Hazlewood is not afraid to use it.
His teammates have noticed it, particularly his fast bowling partner, and friend, Mitch Starc, who said the “VC” cuts to the quick, because, like his bowling, he’s a nononsense character.
“He’s not going to sugar-coat anything which I think is what you need from your deputy, but he doesn’t say more than he has to but when he says something it’s generally to the point,” Starc said.
“Josh has a great cricket brain and he’s found a bit more of a voice in terms of that senior role and that vice-captaincy role, which is fantastic to see from his development as a cricketer but close mate as well and as a bowler, it’s even better.”
Hazlewood has always felt like a leader.
When you get given the new ball every time you play there’s a responsibility that comes with it.
But now, having played all over the world through ups and downs, Hazlewood has another element of leadership he can bring to a team in the midst of a rebuild.
His genial, level-headed nature makes him a go-to guy and the extra chats, particularly with so many young players in the team in recent times, are something Hazlewood has embraced.
“I’d say on tour I’m definitely doing more since the vice-captaincy,” Hazlewood told NewsCorp this week.
“During games I’m not sticking my head where it’s not wanted.
“But just doing enough to help out when I can and make Painey’s job a bit easier. I think it’s about not going over the top.
“I consider myself a leader among the bowlers before this appointment. Having a title doesn’t mean you go and talk all the time.
“It’s just getting the balance right.”
It’s a balance Hazlewood said had developed naturally, aided by maturity.
He’ll be 28 next month, so that’s five years of pretty much constantly being in the Australian Test and one-day teams.
“I find it comes quite naturally. I have always thought I had a decent cricket brain,” he said.