Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood (Image Credit: Twitter)

Despite only appearing in three Tests since the beginning of the last home season, Josh Hazlewood is convinced that Australia’s pace-bowler order is still in place. Nevertheless, he acknowledges that this has been a trying time during what should be his peak years as a fast bowler.

Hazlewood has only played a supporting role since the start of the 2021–22 Ashes as a result of two side ailments in successive seasons as well as the circumstances prevailing on the tours of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

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Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood. Image credits- Cricket Australia.

It’s Great To Have Options And It Keeps You On Your Toes: Josh Hazlewood

His Test summer was cut short by a side strain he sustained at the Gabba in the first game of that series. This season, he experienced a similar ailment against the West Indies in Perth. Hazlewood withdrew from the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne because he didn’t feel quite prepared to play again, but he is now ready to appear in Sydney.

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“I still feel like it’s in place,” Hazlewood said of the bowling pecking order. “It’s always good to have pressure and every time Scotty’s played, he’s done remarkably well. With the Ashes coming up as well, it’s a big one that he’s looking at and he’s a similar bowler to myself and Pat – we could potentially all play there together on a wicket that might seam and swing. It’s great to have options and it keeps you on your toes.”

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Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood (Image Credit: Twitter)

 

At the SCG, there is also the possibility that Australia will want to pick uncapped quick Lance Morris to fill in for Starc. However, the selection process’s most important questions remain unanswered, and the pitch’s peculiarities continue to raise questions about whether two spinners will be chosen for the first time since 2016–17.

Even if Hazlewood does make a comeback on Wednesday, how long he stays in the starting lineup may be greatly influenced by Starc’s health going into Australia’s planned use of two frontline spinners at most periods of the India trip. Starc, Cummins, and Green were the pace options in Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

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I Don’t Feel Like I Have Been Injured Much: Josh Hazlewood

In the long run, Josh Hazlewood will examine his workloads and his preparation for Test cricket as a multi-format bowler in an effort to prevent additional setbacks due to injuries. He did, however, express regret that the side ailments, which only resulted in a few weeks of rest, occurred in the middle of the campaign.

“It’s frustrating, definitely,” he said. “I don’t feel like I’ve been injured much…it just happens to be at the wrong time of the year, after the first Test. The Test matches are so close together now. Apart from that, [for] the rest of the 24 months I’ve been fit and firing. So it’s frustrating when you think about it like that.

Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood. Image-Twitter.

The strength of the connection between the two side strains, which have been classified as separate ailments, is still somewhat unclear, but medical staff plan to look into it more when the Test summer is through.

“They’re a little bit in a different position,” he said. “We’d probably have to dig into it when we have a bit more time. There’s been a lot going on in the last few weeks and they (medical staff) have focused on the guys on the field a lot. Behind the scenes there’s chats…just through is there a link here or there, or what it could be.

I think it’s just part of fast bowling that it’s a strength issue at times and it’s a workload issue at times. Nothing too much to worry about, just little things I’ll need to tick off in the future.”

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Josh Hazlewood Shares Training Plans

Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood. Pic Credits: Twitter

Even if it means perhaps over-cooking practice at the price of being in top shape for a limited-overs encounter, Josh Hazlewood may consider how he develops into a Test series, particularly when there is white-ball cricket in the spur. The present schedules seldom permit Sheffield Shield play, and some fast bowlers claim they feel more at ease practising outside of actual match situations since it gives them more control over how much they bowl.

“I’ve thought about it a little bit over the last few weeks,” Hazlewood said. “If you have to focus on either a strength period or bowl a few more balls at training when you are playing with the white ball, at the detriment of maybe not being 100 percent for those games, then it puts you in a better place for a Test series that follows.

Just little things like that we’re talking about with coaches or medical staff. That will be something I’ll look to do in the next little period.”

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