Josh Hazlewood Archives

Josh Hazlewood returns to Australia squad for third Test against India

Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood was cleared of his injury on Friday and is set to reunite with fellow pace spearheads Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc for the crunch third Test of the Boder-Gavaskar Trophy against India in Brisbane.

The five-match series is finely poised at 1-1 after the visitors won the first game in Perth by 295 runs before crumbling to a 10-wicket defeat with the pink ball in Adelaide.

Hazlewood took five wickets in Perth but picked up a side strain that ruled him out of the next clash.

Scott Boland performed admirably in his place, but it was not enough to save him.

“Josh Hazlewood comes back. He’s had no hiccups, he had a really good bowl yesterday and a couple of days previous,” skipper Cummins told reporters. “Him and the medical team are super confident.”

There are no other changes for the Test starting Saturday.

Cummins admitted it was hard to leave out Boland, but suggested he could still play a part in the series.

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“It’s tough, he was fantastic in Adelaide,” he said of the 35-year-old seamer, who bagged five wickets in the match.

“He’s unfortunately spent a fair bit of time on the bench over the past 18 months. And whenever he’s played, he’s been fantastic.

“A shame for Scotty, but still a fair bit to play out this series. I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t get another crack at some point.”

The Gabba used to be a fortress for Australia, who were unbeaten there since 1988 until India finally breached it in 2021 to clinch their four-Test series 2-1.

Australia won their next two Tests in Brisbane, against England and South Africa, but were upset again earlier this year by the West Indies.

Cummins played down the significance of results at particular venues.

“It’s just a venue really. We play at dozens and dozens of venues each year,” he said.

“It’s always good coming back to a place that is familiar. As a player you can look back at times where you might have scored runs or taken wickets,” he said. “But the scoreboard starts at 0-0 so the venue isn’t the be-all-and-end-all.”

Australia Squad for third Test against India

Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

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Australia suffer major blow ahead of second Border-Gavaskar Test against India

Australia pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood was on Saturday ruled out of the second Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India in Adelaide, with seamers Sean Abbott and Brendon Doggett added to their squad.

The right-armer, who took five wickets in Australia’s 295-run first Test defeat at Perth, has what Cricket Australia (CA) described as “a low-grade left side injury”.

“Josh Hazlewood will remain with the group in Adelaide to prepare for the remainder of the series,” CA added.

While the uncapped Abbott and Doggett were drafted in, Hazelwood’s absence is likely to open the door for Scott Boland to play in the day-night Test between Australia and India that will start on Friday.

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Boland, who was already part of the squad, played the last of his 10 Tests in July 2023 against England at Headingley.

If selected it would be Boland’s second Test match in Adelaide after playing against the West Indies in 2022 when he had match figures of 3-45.

There are also question marks around allrounder Mitchell Marsh, who, like Hazlewood, pulled up sore following their Perth thrashing. Beau Webster was on Thursday called into the squad as cover for him.

Squad for the second Border-Gavaskar Test

Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar. Reserves: Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal

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Injury rocks Australia ahead of Scotland T20Is

Australia suffered a massive setback ahead of the T20I series against Scotland as right-arm pacer Josh Hazlewood was ruled out due to a calf strain.

Australia will tour Scotland for a three-match T20I series with matches scheduled at Grange Cricket Stadium in Edinburgh on September 4, 6 and 7 respectively.

With Josh Hazlewood out of the series with an injury, the Australian selectors named Riley Meredith in the squad.

Josh Hazlewood’s injury is considered to be a major setback for Australia as the reigning longer formats champions are gearing up for a busy white-ball calendar.

The injury, however, is considered minor but the team management opted to rest the pacer as a precautionary measure to lend him adequate time to attain complete fitness for the T20I and ODI series against England.

Riley Meredith impressed the Australian selectors with his outstanding stint for Somerset in the T20 Blast. The pacer claimed 14 wickets at an average of 22.78, thus playing a pivotal role in leading the side to the final.

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Meredith was also sensational in the One-Day Cup, the highlight of which was his 4/27 against Middlesex at Lord’s.

His last T20I appearance for Australia, however, came back in 2021 against West Indies.

Meredith will form Australia’s pace attack with Xavier Bartlett, Sean Abbott, and Nathan Ellis with all-rounders Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, and Marcus Stoinis likely to provide backup.

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa will spearhead the team’s spin department with uncapped Cooper Connolly.

Australia T20I squad for the series against Scotland: Mitchell Marsh(c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Riley Meredith, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.

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Mark Wood believes Australia “will play hard and fair” against Scotland

England’s right-arm speedster Mark Wood expressed his hope that arch-rivals Australia would play “hard and fair” in their last ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 group-stage fixture against Scotland.

Australia will face Scotland in their last group-stage fixture on Sunday which could decide England’s fate in the T20 World Cup 2024 even if they manage to beat Namibia in their remaining group match.

Scotland are currently second in Group B standings with five points in three matches while England climbed to the third with three points in as many matches.

The defending champions bolstered their net run rate by decimating Oman by eight wickets and 101 balls to spare.

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Earlier, Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood hinted at the possibility of exploiting England’s difficulty in the tournament in the post-match press conference.

“In this tournament, you potentially come up against England at some stage again and they’re probably one of the top few teams on their day,” stated Hazlewood.

“We’ve had some real struggles against them in T20 cricket, so if we can get them out of the tournament, that’s in our best interest as well as probably everyone else’s I think.

“It will be interesting to see, never really been in this position before as a team I don’t think.

“Whether we have discussions or not, or we just try and play again the way we played tonight, that will be up to people, not me.”

Reacting to Hazlewood’s comments, Mark Wood insisted that Australia would not deliberately lose to Scotland.

“I’m absolutely confident Australia will play the game the hardest, that’s the Australian way, that they’ll play hard but fair and try and get the win,” said Wood.

“I think that’s part of being England and Australia, isn’t it?” said Wood.

“I think actually I saw it more as a respect thing if I’m honest that he was saying that England have done well against Australia in the recent past and thinks we’re a big threat and a big team so I have no problem with it.”

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Michael Jones ready for Australia challenge amid Hazlewood’s comments

Scotland batter Michael Jones has stated that his side is ready to take on Australia in their last group match in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Jones also welcomed comments made by Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood hinting at the ODI World champions manipulating Scotland’s match to knock out arch-rivals England.

Australia have already secured their place in the next round, the Super 8s and Hazlewood suggested that they could ease up in the game against Scotland this weekend.

However, that scenario now appears less likely after England crushed Oman by eight wickets on Thursday to move above Scotland on net run rate with a final game to come against Namibia.

In this case, if England beat Namibia then Scotland will have to overcome Australia to qualify for the Super Eight.

Michael Jones found Hazlewood’s comments hilarious and joked about wanting to see David Warner opening the bowling for Australia.

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“I was watching it live actually, laughing to myself,” said Jones.

“The rivalry between England and Australia is massive. If they want to play that way then happy days. We won’t be complaining. If they want to let David Warner open the bowling or something like that it would be pretty funny.”

Jones stated that he thinks that Australia will bring their A-game against Scotland, however, he also mentioned his team’s aim to win and qualify for Super 8s, irrespective of the circumstances.

“The Australians are renowned for being extremely diligent and extremely professional. I’m absolutely certain they will come out all guns blazing like they do for every game at every tournament.

“At the end of the day our team wants the best result we can get, but on a personal level you want to challenge yourself against the best,” he said.

READ: Pat Cummins denies Australia manipulating England’s World Cup exit

England coach opens up on Josh Hazlewood’s comments

England head coach Matthew Mott has reacted to the comments made by Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood recently.

Hazlewood, after Australia’s nine-wicket victory over Namibia, hinted at the possibility of exploiting England’s difficulty in the tournament in the post-match press conference.

England are in a tough situation, pertaining to their qualification to the Super 8s stage of the T20 World Cup 2024 as they are fourth in Group B with just one point in two matches.

“We’ve had some real struggles against them [England] in T20 cricket, so if we can get them out of the tournament, that’s in our best interest as well as probably everyone else’s I think,” stated Hazlewood.

However, the English coach stated that Australians have a mindset to win every game and expressed hope that Hazlewood was just ‘having fun.’

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“I am very much hoping it was an off-hand remark by a really good bloke who is having fun. Having grown up in Australia and the will to win every game, I am sure they will come to the fore,” Matthew Mott said.

“Knowing Josh, he has got a pretty dry sense of humour. I am hoping it was very much tongue in cheek.”

Notably, Australia will face Scotland in their last group-stage fixture which could decide England’s fate in the T20 World Cup 2024 even if they manage to beat Oman and Namibia in their remaining group matches.

Hazlewood’s comments hint at the possibility of Australia winning their match against Scotland with a narrow margin to knock England out of the tournament on net run-rate.

However, if they proceed with this tactic, Australian captain Mitchell Marsh may get banned for two matches ahead of the Super Eight stage, where each team will play three matches.

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Mitchell Marsh risks ban if Australia manipulate Scotland result to knock England out of T20 World Cup

Australia captain Mitchell Marsh could face a ban if his team is found guilty of manipulating any margin of victory over Scotland in an attempt to knock England out of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Former champions Australia blew away Namibia by nine wickets as they chased down the modest 72-run target in 5.4 overs to qualify for the Super 8s with one game to spare.

They will face Scotland in their last group-stage fixture which could decide England’s fate in the T20 World Cup 2024 even if they manage to beat Oman and Namibia in their remaining group matches.

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood hinted at the possibility of exploiting England’s difficulty in the tournament in the post-match press conference.

“In this tournament, you potentially come up against England at some stage again and they’re probably one of the top few teams on their day,” stated Hazlewood.

“We’ve had some real struggles against them in T20 cricket, so if we can get them out of the tournament, that’s in our best interest as well as probably everyone else’s I think.

“It will be interesting to see, never really been in this position before as a team I don’t think.

“Whether we have discussions or not, or we just try and play again the way we played tonight, that will be up to people, not me.”

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Hazlewood’s comments hint at the possibility of Australia winning their match against Scotland with a narrow margin to knock England out of the tournament on net run-rate.

However, if they proceed with this tactic, their skipper may get banned for two matches ahead of the Super Eight stage, where each team will play three matches.

Mitchell Marsh could be charged under Article 2.11 of the ICC’s code of conduct, which is designed to prevent the manipulation of games for “inappropriate strategic or tactical reasons… such as when a team deliberately loses a pool match in an ICC Event in order to affect the standings of other teams in that ICC Event.”

The code of conduct also applies to “the inappropriate manipulation of a net run rate” and the captain would be held responsible, and charged with a Level Two offence.

The captain may face a minimum sanction of a 50% match fee fine, with a maximum of four demerit points and two suspension points, depending on the severity of the offence. Two suspension points would rule Marsh out of Australia’s first two Super Eight matches.

It is worth mentioning that reigning champions England are in a tough situation, pertaining to their qualification to the Super 8s stage of the T20 World Cup as they are fourth in Group B with just one point in two matches.

The defending champions had their campaign opener against Scotland washed out before they succumbed to a 36-run defeat against arch-rivals Australia.

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“That’s in our best interest” Hazlewood on England’s elimination

Australia’s right-arm speedster Josh Hazlewood on Tuesday, stated that eliminating defending champions England from the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 would be “in our best interests as well as probably everyone else”.

Former champions Australia blew away Namibia by nine wickets as they chased down the modest 72-run target in 5.4 overs to qualify for the Super 8s with one game to spare.

Australia will face Scotland in their last group-stage fixture which could decide England’s fate in the T20 World Cup 2024 even if they manage to beat Oman and Namibia in their remaining group matches.

Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood, who returned brilliant figures of 2/18 in his side’s statement victory over Namibia, hinted at the possibility of exploiting England’s difficulty in the tournament in the post-match press conference.

“In this tournament, you potentially come up against England at some stage again and they’re probably one of the top few teams on their day,” stated Hazlewood.

“We’ve had some real struggles against them in T20 cricket, so if we can get them out of the tournament, that’s in our best interest as well as probably everyone else’s I think.

“It will be interesting to see, never really been in this position before as a team I don’t think.

“Whether we have discussions or not, or we just try and play again the way we played tonight, that will be up to people, not me.”

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Josh Hazlewood was then pressed to reveal what would Australia’s tactics be to knock England out of the tournament.

“Not too sure really. Whether you get close and just knock it around, drag it out.

“There are a few options there, but to take confidence from winning and winning well, I think that’s almost more important than potentially trying to knock someone else out.

“They [England] have still got a lot to do on their behalf as well. So, I think it will become clearer the closer we get to that sort of stuff.”

The defending champions had their campaign opener against Scotland washed out before they succumbed to a 36-run defeat against arch-rivals Australia.

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Josh Hazlewood stars as Australia dominate day one against New Zealand

CHRISTCHURCH: A five-wicket haul by paceman Josh Hazlewood ensured Australia finished Friday with the upper hand against New Zealand on a wicket-laden opening day of the second Test at Hagley Oval.

Fourteen wickets fell as Australia reached 124 for four at stumps after the Hazlewood-inspired pace attack rolled New Zealand for 162 in two sessions.

Hazlewood, who took 5-31, put his success down to the conditions as the pitch quickened during the day.

“There was a bit of nip there, a little bit of swing so plenty for the quicks during the day. Fourteen wickets in a day so it’s obviously doing enough,” he said.

New Zealand’s chief wicket-taker Matt Henry called Hazlewood’s performance “world-class” and a “blueprint for how we wanted to bowl as well”.

Henry dismissed Usman Khawaja for 16, bowled Cameron Green for 25 and had Travis Head caught behind for 21 to finish the day with figures of 3-39.

New Zealand debutant Ben Sears, whose first delivery was whipped to the boundary by Steve Smith, claimed his first Test wicket two balls later when he had the Australian opener trapped in front for 11.

At stumps, Marnus Labuschagne was unbeaten on 45, including eight fours, with night-watchman Nathan Lyon on one. Australia trail by 38 runs.

Australia, looking to sweep the two-Test series, won the toss and put New Zealand in to bat on a green-tinged wicket.

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After being kept at bay by Tom Latham and Will Young for the first 90 minutes, Australia picked up wickets at regular intervals.

Hazlewood produced a masterly display of seam bowling while Mitchell Starc took 3-59.

It moved Starc up to fourth on the all-time Australian wicket-takers list with 357, overtaking Dennis Lillee, who ended his stellar career with 355.

New Zealand lost eight wickets for 60 runs before the Australian onslaught was frustrated by a ninth-wicket partnership of 55 by Henry and Tim Southee in his 100th Test.

After Starc accounted for Young, Hazlewood bowled a precise line and length to claim the next four wickets including New Zealand talisman Kane Williamson, who was trapped in front for 17.

Williamson, who received a standing ovation as he arrived at the crease for his milestone 100th Test, sought a review but he knew it was a lost cause and started to walk before the three red lights were shown.

Hazlewood also accounted for Latham (38) and Daryl Mitchell (four), both caught by wicketkeeper Alex Carey as well as Rachin Ravindra caught by Usman Khawaja at first slip.

The impressive Carey took five catches including Tom Blundell (22) off Cameron Green and Glenn Phillips (two) off Starc, who then dismissed Scott Kuggeleijn lbw with his next delivery.

Hazlewood was also in on the action when he caught Southee (26) to give Cummins a wicket, then finished the innings in the next over when he had Henry (29) caught behind.

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Shubman Gill dethrones Babar Azam to top ICC ODI Batting rankings

DUBAI: Indian opening batter Shubman Gill has replaced Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar Azam, ending his more than two-year reign at the top of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s ODI Batting Rankings.

Shubman Gill became the fourth Indian player to become the No. 1 ODI batter after Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, on the back of his solid performance in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023.

Meanwhile, Babar Azam has scored 282 runs from eight outings in the mega event and lost six rating points, hence slipping to the second position for the first time after occupying the top spot for more than two years.

Shubman Gill has accumulated a total of 219 runs from six innings at the tournament including a 92 against Sri Lanka.

Overall, Indian players gained substantial rewards in the latest ICC Men’s ODI Rankings, owing to India’s undefeated run in the ICC World Cup 2023.

India’s star batter Virat Kohli jumped three places to reach the fourth spot, with a difference of a mere one rating point from South African Quinton de Kock, who is ranked third.

Kohli is currently the second-highest run-getter in the ICC World Cup 2023 with 543 runs from eight innings, only behind De Kock, who has scored 550 runs in as many innings with four centuries.

India’s Shreyas Iyer also made a big leap of 17 places to reach 18th position after amassing 293 runs from eight innings, while Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman jumped three spots to 11th and Afghanistan’s opener Ibrahim Zadran reached 12th after jumping six spots.

Shubman Gill’s opening partner and India’s captain Rohit Sharma is placed at the sixth spot with 739 rating points.

On the other hand, the Indian bowlers also earned a place in the top ten of the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings, after wreaking havoc throughout the ICC World Cup 2023.

Pace bowler Mohammed Siraj regained his top spot in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings after jumping two spots, whereas fellow pacer Mohammed Shami climbed seven spots to tenth, after picking 16 wickets in four games in the tournament.

Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav and Jaspirt Bumrah gained three places to reach the fourth and eighth positions respectively.

Pakistan’s pace bowler, Shaheen Afridi, who became the number one ODI bowler last week, lost his place and slipped four places down to fifth position, equalling Australia’s Josh Hazlewood with 658 rating points.

Australia’s Adam Zampa, who is currently the second leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 20 wickets jumped six places to reach third position, whereas, the leading wicket-taker Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Madushanka climbed 31 places to 45th.

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan continues to lead the ICC ODI All-Rounder Rankings, however, Australia’s Glenn Maxwell gained two spots to sixth after his match-winning double-hundred against Afghanistan yesterday

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