Australian stimulator Josh Hazlewood says he is bowling like he has ever, and reduces any doubts about his condition before the World Cup final against South Africa at Lord’s beginning of Wednesday.
The experienced fast pitchway is in the competition with head to Scott Boland for the last place in the Australian attack along with Captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. Hazlewood has not played the test since the third match last summer Trophy Border-Gavascar Trophy when the injury of the calf forced him in the middle of the game in Gabba. The side voltage has already maintained him out of the second test in Adelaide.
But after a strong IPL campaign – where he claimed 22 goals and helped Royal Challengers Bengalur win his first title – Hazlewood says he is fully ready to return to the cricket with a red ball.
“The last time I was quite close,” said Hazlewood, referring to the WTC 2023 final, which he missed. “I just led the more interrupted IPL and several problems took place, so it wasn’t completely scratches. But this time I feel in a much better place.”
Hazlewood took 57 goals in 19.68 to 13 tests from the beginning of the ash 2023 and says he is convinced in his form and execution.
“I still feel that I’m probably the best of my career. It’s just a question of the body that is holding – and that has been over the past few months,” he said.
MACE WTC is one of the few main trophies that are missing in the Hazlewood collection. Last year, Saw Boland took his place and brought a key performance in the Australian victory over India.
Boland also impressed the home series against India and led 21 goals at 13.19, including ten goals on the SCG, which further tightened the selection battles.
Hazlewood on Saturday during the optional training of Australian training in Beckenham bowed five overs with a Dukes ball with a slight intensity. On Sunday it is planned for a more intense, simulation session in Lord. In the preparation he began to train red balls while he was still in India.
“The intensity is probably the big one that checked,” Hazlewood said. “We have adapted the training to get back to ourselves within those days, which is a large session followed by the next day to get used to the requirements.”
“I checked over a few good exceeding just before the finals in Ahmedabad – in other weather than this,” he added with a smile.
Australian selectors now have a difficult decision to make: Go with Hazlewood’s experience and current form or rewarding Boland’s recent dominance.
Published:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
June 8, 2025
