Josh Hazlewood has high hopes for Australia’s young quicks and is hoping to “feed off” their energy as he eyes redemption at the next T20 World Cup.
Australia’s first T20I against England begins in Southampton on Wednesday.
Hazlewood was Australia’s most economical bowler at the tournament’s last edition this June and has already set his sights on the next one in 2026 after the disappointment of their Super Eight elimination.
The pacer missed last week’s Scotland leg because of a minor calf strain. The young attack comprises Xavier Bartlett, Riley Meredith, Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson.
“It was the smallest little nick you can do so I pretty much only had four or five days off running and then got back into it,” Hazlewood told cricket.com.au after training at The Rose Bowl on Monday.
“I just did it having a bowl in Sydney, but now we’re back up and looking up to the series.”
Hazlewood is the only one of Australia’s ‘big three’ quicks to make the trip for the T20Is, with Mitchell Starc to link up with the squad for the five ODIs that follow, while Test and 50-over skipper Pat Cummins is staying home ahead of the five-Test summer against India.
Phil Salt will captain the hosts in Jos Buttler’s absence.
“It’s just a matter of building for the next World Cup really,” said Hazlewood. “We didn’t finish how we would have liked at the last one. We’ve got a couple of young guys around now to feed off that energy and it’s just about nailing down your role in the team and getting a few wins.”
Match starts: 11pm IST, live on Sony Sports Network & SonyLiv
