Josh Hazlewood Holds No Aspirations of Leading Australia in Tests

Australia fast bowler, Josh Hazlewood says he holds no aspirations of leading Australia in Tests despite getting appointed as the joint vice-captain of the team alongside Mitchell Marsh.

The speedster was promoted by his teammates along with Mitchell Marsh to deputy Tim Paine after a successful pitch to selection, board members and its staffs. He was also endorsed further by his peers, as per reports in the Fox Sports.

Hazlewood revealed being content as Tim Paine’s deputy will lead to a pretty healthier relationship with the leadership group. Hazlewood stated it is no secret the relationship between the captain and the vice-captain hasn’t been great in the last few years. However, he wants to set a different trend along with Tim Paine and Mitchell Marsh.

Josh Hazlewood says the relationship between the captain and the vice-captain hasn’t been great

“It’s probably no secret that the relationship between captain and vice-captain hasn’t been great in the last 10 or 12 years,” Hazlewood said after his appointment. “So I guess that promotes me to a degree. With no aspirations to be captain, you can have a really good relationship there. Then Mitch and myself can do everything we can to make Painey’s (Paine) job as easy as possible.

“Having someone as vice-captain who’s not necessarily aspiring to be captain — that’s the position I find myself in, I think. I can really contribute as a leader and as a vice-captain without pushing that next level.”

The comments of Hazlewood came to a couple of days after former Aussie all-rounder, Shane Watson asked Tim Paine to be given a chance to select his deputy. Watson feels the appointment of the vice-captain hasn’t been correct over the past ten years including his selection.

“I’d say they’ve got it wrong the last quite a while. Really, since Ricky [Ponting] and Adam Gilchrist. They complemented each other really well,” Watson told The Daily Telegraph.

Josh Hazlewood never aspires to be a captain of Australia

“I think the captain should just about pick the vice-captain or have a huge influence in that decision because in the end, as a captain, you know who is going to be your most supportive person.”

However, Paine was not even part of the panel which consisted of selectors Trevor Johns and Greg Chappell. Meanwhile, Hazlewood feels the new appointment will work pretty well.

“I think it will work well. It’s obviously a bit different, but it’s modern times I guess. Through the amount of cricket we’re going to play, and myself as a quick whether I’m missing games or resting, it’s good to have one in the team who can step up on that occasion,” Hazlewood said.