Hazlewood: IPL was perfect preparation

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood says getting sufficient game time in the just-concluded IPL in the UAE was “perfect” preparation for the T20 World Cup and could stand him in good stead in the showpiece. The 30-year-old returned to the IPL even as Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Kane Richardson opted out of second leg.

“That was my thinking going in,” Hazlewood, who plays for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, he said.

“Conditions, the elements here — it’s quite hot — and just getting a run of games of T20 cricket leading into the World Cup. It’s been perfect.”