Josh Hazlewood, the Australian paceman, has returned from paternity leave and is ready to spearhead the national team’s T20 World Cup title hopes. While his fellow fast bowlers, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, are currently battling it out in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024), Hazlewood opted to stay home for the birth of his son, Zac. And he doesn’t regret his decision one bit.
Focus on T20 World Cup: Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood isn’t a fan of the IPL’s new “impact player” rule, which allows teams to introduce an extra batsman or bowler midway through the innings. He believes this rule disrupts the balance between batting and bowling, leading to high-scoring games with seemingly never-ending batting lineups.
Concerns about high-scoring IPL 2024 Games
Hazlewood highlighted the challenges bowlers face with this rule. The presence of powerful hitters like Tim David batting so deep in the innings discourages bowlers from attacking early on, as wickets don’t seem to have a significant impact on the overall score.
While acknowledging the entertainment value of high-scoring contests for the crowds, he believes the rule needs adjustments to ensure a fairer contest.
“Batting lineups just seem to be never-ending now. I’m not sure it’s a great rule. The conditions have come into play a little bit lately with bowlers having a bit of impact, but I mean, you’ve got (batters) like Tim David at number eight, sometimes number nine.“
“You don’t really feel like you attack and try and get wickets in the Powerplay because what’s the point when you’ve got those guys coming in at those eight, nine spots?
“Obviously the crowd loves it – there’s 200-plus scores nearly every night – and it’s good for batters, but it might need a bit of tinkering.
“I’m certainly not (keen for it to be used elsewhere).”
Josh Hazlewood prefers adaptability over all-IPL diet
Josh Hazlewood is confident that Australia’s bowling attack, including himself, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins, can adapt to any challenge they face in the T20 World Cup.
He emphasizes the importance of adaptability, a skill that played a key role in their recent World Cup victories (T20 in 2021 and ODI in 2023). He expects to adjust to the varying conditions across the different Caribbean islands that will host the tournament.
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Experience is key for Hazlewood and Co.
Hazlewood, Starc, and Cummins all possess a wealth of experience, having played in numerous tournaments and tours. They’ve learned from past experiences and continuously improved their skills. This experience will be crucial as they navigate the diverse conditions in the Caribbean.
Josh Hazlewood World Cup Preparations
While Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins are in the thick of the IPL 2024 action, Hazlewood has been strategically preparing for the World Cup.
He’s maintained a light training regime since returning from New Zealand, focusing on keeping his body conditioned and ready for the challenges ahead. With his eyes firmly set on the West Indies, Hazlewood is eager to contribute to Australia’s quest for a second T20 World Cup title.
Australia T20 World Cup squad
Mitch Marsh (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
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