Hazlewood Suggests Uniqueness of Last Season’s Pace Bowling Lineup
Australia fast-bowler Josh Hazlewood believes that having the team’s main pace bowlers feature in all seven Tests last home season was likely an exceptional circumstance.
During the 2023/24 home season, Australia maintained an unchanged bowling attack, with Cameron Green as the fifth option. However, Green will miss the upcoming season due to back surgery.
“It feels like the same question every year—if you’re fit, you play; if not, you don’t. We have enough depth to rotate a few guys who can perform well and apply pressure on each other, so there are no concerns there,” Hazlewood remarked.
He emphasized that unlike T20s or ODIs, where the overs are predetermined, Test cricket can vary significantly in workload. “You could bowl anywhere from 25 to 50 overs, so it’s not worth over-planning. Last year’s situation was likely a one-off; it really comes down to making a decision the day before,” he explained to reporters.
Hazlewood, along with Test captain Pat Cummins, will prepare for the upcoming white-ball series against Pakistan and the five-Test series against India by participating in New South Wales’ One-Day Cup match against Victoria on Friday.
“Around 30 overs is a solid workout. It’s important to check all those boxes with back-to-back bowling to build fitness for Test cricket,” he noted.
He also expects pacer Scott Boland to play a significant role in the Test series against India, which starts on November 22 in Perth. Boland hasn’t featured in Tests since the third Ashes Test last July.
“I spoke to Boland recently, and he mentioned feeling a bit rusty initially, but he improved as the game progressed. He thrives on bowling; the more he plays, the better he gets. We know what he’s capable of at the top level, so I’m confident he’ll have a role in the summer or in future Test tours. He’s a valuable presence in the squad and a fierce competitor on the field,” Hazlewood added.
