SL VS AUS: Josh Hazlewood Is Comfortable With His New Role

If Australia had started on a multi-format tour a year or so ago, and Josh Hazlewood felt more certain of his place in the T20I side – than the Test team – there could have been some puzzled eyebrows.

Despite the fact that Hazlewood is a vital member of the T20I team that will begin the tour, he is set to be shelved for the Tests, as he was in Pakistan earlier this year when he was left out after the first match.

If that happens during the next six weeks, Hazlewood would have played just two of Australia’s last ten Tests after suffering a side injury in the Ashes opener in Brisbane.

I Made A Conscious Effort To Get Back Into T20 Cricket: Josh Hazelwood

While the fast bowler expressed his disappointment at missing so many recent Tests, he saw the reasoning behind the selection in Pakistan – and what appears to be the case in Sri Lanka, with allrounder Cameron Green offering Australia the option of an extra seamer if needed.

“I could see a couple of World Cups coming up in T20 cricket and wanted to poke my nose back in at the IPL, so I jumped in for the Sixers,” Hazlewood recalled.

It was probably that period when I made a conscious effort to get back into T20. It was so hard before that with logistical issues, tours were overlapping, and you had to pick and choose what you wanted to play for Australia. Took that opportunity to play the Big Bash and that led to playing for Chennai and I ended up playing more and more games as time went on, then here we are.

“It’s a strange one, I guess. I’ve obviously missed a fair bit of red-ball cricket through injury and selection so, a little bit disappointing in that regard. Then the white-ball, T20 in particular, has gone strength to strength. That’s the benefit of having three formats in this sport. If you are struggling in one, or not going particularly well, then you can rely on another one to come through,” Hazelwood further added.

He is the third-leading wicket-taker among quick bowlers in T20 cricket since June 2021, with 62 scalps at 17.91 in 39 matches with an economy of 7.49. The figures for Australia are even more impressive: 31 wickets at 14.22 in 18 matches, with an economy of 6.61.

Also Read: IND vs SA: Ravi Shastri Names His India XI For 1st South Africa T20I, Leaves Out Dinesh Karthik, Venkatesh Iyer