Hazlewood withdraws from IPL

Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has pulled out of this season’s IPL, ensuring he’ll be well rested for a busy winter campaign.

Cricket Australia announced on Thursday that Hazlewood, who played a key role in Australia’s recent World Cup triumph, won’t turn out for the Mumbai Indians over the next seven weeks.

The decision is a testament to Hazlewood’s growing status as a key component in Australia’s pace battalion in the wake of an impressive home summer.

It included the NSW quick making his Test debut against India at the Gabba – taking five wickets in the first innings – and then the 24-year-old going on to bump Pat Cummins from Australia’s victorious World Cup team.

Hazlewood should now be fresh for Australia’s Test tour of the Caribbean starting in early June and followed by the Ashes in England.

“Josh’s workload has changed significantly since he first began attending the IPL,” said CA general manager Pat Howard.

“The IPL is the players leave period and in Josh’s case it was deemed that not playing was the best use of that time in the lead up to a busy winter.”

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