Recalled paceman Josh Hazlewood is predicting an explosive start to Australia’s five-match one-day series with South Africa next month.
Australian selectors on Wednesday included a battery of six quicks in a 13-man squad for the first two games of the series taking place on Perth’s pace-friendly WACA pitch.
Back in the squad after overcoming back injury woes, Hazlewood has no doubt the Proteas’ fearsome attack – led by Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel – will again be out to terrorise Australia’s batsmen when the world No.1 ODI ranking goes on the line.
Morkel famously cracked a bone in Michael Clarke’s shoulder during the Australian’s heroic, series-winning captain’s knock in Cape Town earlier this year, while Clark’s sledging of Steyn in the same Test left the world’s premier paceman filthy.
There’ll be no love lost between Clarke and Steyn when hostilities resume for the series opener on November 14, but Hazlewood said the Proteas should expect Australia to match fire with fire.
“We’ve obviously picked a few quicks with the first two games being in Perth and hopefully we can hit them hard,” he said.
“We’ve only played one-day cricket in Sydney and Brisbane in the last few years so it will be good to get back to the WACA with the white ball and hopefully swing a few around.”
After making his international debut as a teenager, Hazlewood was struck down by the fast bowlers’ curse and has only played two ODIs for Australia, in 2010 and 2013, while battling “growing pains”.
“It’s been pretty frustrating,” he said.
“You’re obviously out for a long time and, at that time, you’re thinking about different things and thoughts go through your head.
“But everyone goes through them and you’ve got to come out the other side fitter and stronger than when you went in.
“Your bones are at their weakest at that age until 23, 24, so hopefully it’s smoother sailing from now.”
Hazlewood leant on Mitchell Johnson, who suffered similar fast bowler blues, during the dark times and has emerged to be rewarded, at 23, with a national recall on the back of career-best domestic one-day figures of 7-36 in NSW’s recent Matador Cup win over South Australia.
“Things are getting better and, the older I get, the more confident in my body I get,” he said.
Apart from simply “staying on the park and enjoying my cricket”, Hazlewood makes no secret of his summer goal of earning selection for the World Cup starting on February 15.
“Every player is thinking about it. It’s in the back of their mind,” he said.
“To get the opportunity this early in the summer and try and get a few good performances on the board will be key to try and get in that team later in the year.
“If you take wickets and go well, then selection will take care of itself.”
