Hazlewood in fight for World Cup spot

It’s nice to fit in, but Australian paceman Josh Hazlewood would love to be the odd man out during the World Cup.

With left-armers Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and James Faulkner favoured to nail down spots at the World Cup, Hazlewood could be forced into a showdown with fellow right-armer Pat Cummins for the final pace slot.

Hazlewood’s star has grown dramatically this summer after he snared seven wickets in his Test debut against India in Brisbane.

The 196cm speedster has also impressed in his seven ODIs stretching back to 2010, taking 10 wickets at 25.60 with an economy rate of of 4.90.

With the World Cup just over two weeks away, the pressure for spots in the one-day side is heating up.

A refreshed Johnson will return for Sunday’s tri-series final at the WACA against either India or England, while all-rounder Shane Watson is also a chance to play if he can overcome a hamstring injury.

Hazlewood is hopeful of retaining his spot, and he knows he’ll need to put in a strong performance if he is to boost his chances of playing regularly at the World Cup.

“I think those three left-armers pick themselves in most line-ups, but they’re obviously going to pick one of the right-handers – Cummins or myself,” Hazlewood said.

“And we’ve got Xavier Doherty there to play if conditions suit.

“I think Boof (coach Darren Lehmann) will try to settle on the XI and keep playing that same XI (at the World Cup).

“With a game only every five or six days, there is no reason to rest bowlers, so I think once he picks that XI and settles on it, that will pretty much be cemented.

“I guess whoever gets a crack on Sunday will be trying to put their hand up again.”

Bowling great Glenn McGrath has already predicted Hazlewood will join the 200-wicket club in Test ranks, but the 24-year-old isn’t getting carried away just yet.

India and England will face off at the WACA Ground on Friday for the right to play Australia in the tri-series final.

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