Josh Hazlewood sent an early summer reminder to the Australian selectors taking seven wickets as New South Wales beat South Australia by three wickets in the one-day cup at Allan Border Field.
The 1.96m quick, who last played one-day international cricket for Australia just more than a year ago in England, took 7-36 off 9.4 overs – the third best figures in domestic limited overs cricket – as South Australia fell to 244 all out.
Opener Nic Maddinson led the response belting 84 off 54 balls, with fellow young lefty Kurtis Patterson hitting 43, as the Blues sealed victory with 11 balls to spare.
Earlier, the Redbacks recovered from a poor start to add 136 for the fourth wicket before Hazelwood dismissed top-scorer Callum Ferguson (81) and Alexander Ross (54) in consecutive overs to precipitate a collapse.
Despite wickets falling around him, Redbacks skipper Johan Botha hit an unbeaten 41 off 26 balls to take his side towards a defendable total.
Shaun Tait (0-68), who holds the record for the best domestic 50-overs bowling performance with 8-43 against Tasmania in 2004, went wicketless in his first one-dayer for South Australia in three-and-a-half years.
Hazlewood’s performance was particularly pleasing for him as his pre-season preparation was hampered by injury.
“I did a side strain about eight weeks ago (but) my body feels really good now,” Hazlewood said.
“As this showed, (I’m) now 100 per cent so everything’s pretty good.
“The ball moved around a bit. The wicket was pretty good so 244 was probably a few less than par.
“The bowling group bowled tight and (we) got a few early wickets,” he said.
As well as producing career and NSW best figures, Hazlewood was also the first bowler to get five opponents out bowled in the same match.
Despite this milestone performance, he insists his mind is only on performing for his state rather than resuming his Australia career.
“I just want to do well for New South Wales,” Hazlewood said.
“We came second in this last year so (we want) to win that, then go on and win the Shield.”
The Blues next play against fellow opening-day winners Queensland at Allan Border Field on Monday, when South Australia will meet Victoria at the Gabba.
