Follow UsAfter being frustrated by his perfect line and length in the ODIs and the first two T20Is, the Indian batters would be feeling a sigh of relief as they would not have to worry about Josh Hazlewood from the third match of the five-match T20I series.
As per latest confirmation by Hazlewood himself, he has pulled out to start his red ball preparation for the all-important Ashes, which would begin from November 21, with the first Test being played at Optus Stadium in Perth.
“Heading home tomorrow. I’ll have a week to prepare for the Shield game against Victoria, then we head to Perth for the first Test,” Hazlewood was quoted as saying by Indian Express.
“It’s important to get that red ball rhythm in, bowl consecutive overs, spend big days in the field – tick that off before the Test season starts,” added the man who finished with figures of 3/13 in Australia’s win against the Indian side at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 31 (Friday), during the second T20I.
It was not just about picking wickets with Hazlewood, as during the second ODI, he bowled the best wicket-less spell, according to his skipper Mitchell Marsh. So how was he so impactful against India?
Answering this question, Hazlewood said, “I think just playing continuous cricket has helped – we’ve been up north playing a few games, then over in New Zealand, now here, West Indies in the winter… I’ve just been going from one series to the next, playing most of the games, resting when needed. Everything feels in a good place and ready to go.”
The series still hangs in the balance as India could make a comeback in the next three T20Is.