Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is looking forward to a busy one-day international career when he gets to South Africa for the Test series. Regular match action is what makes him feel the most confident of his bowling and fitness and that will take him back to Test cricket after a successful return to Bangladesh.
Hazlewood is expected to be selected in Australia’s ODI squads for the upcoming tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa, with the squads to be announced soon. The right-arm fast bowler has identified the two ODI series as an important part of his preparation for the Test challenge Australia will face in October.
The pace bowler suggested that playing two games in each of the three-game ODI series might be a good balance between match fitness and workload management. Hazlewood has grown increasingly concerned with workload management at the moment with the physical demands on fast bowlers of Australia in all formats.
Hazlewood said he wanted to play as much cricket as possible within reasonable limits. He believes in keeping the intensity in competitive matches, especially after a long time away from Test cricket.
The upcoming ODI matches will also allow Hazlewood to repeat his performance against Bangladesh. The Australian quick made a successful return to Test action after more than a year away from the format. He took seven wickets in the first Test in Darwin and continued to bowl well in the second Test in Mackay.
Hazlewood was particularly pleased with the way his body responded during the Bangladesh series. Before the tour, he had undergone an extensive training programme and described the period leading up to the series as an important preparation block.
Hazlewood said the training weeks helped him prepare for the workload during the international season. For Australia to make it through the Bangladesh series without any real physical concerns will be very encouraging when they have so many big assignments on the horizon.
Australia's ODI plans for the tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa will be to manage senior players’ workload. Pat Cummins remains Australia's ODI captain, although he may only feature in the South Africa leg of the white-ball schedule.
Selection decisions could also be affected by Australia's concurrent Australia A red-ball tour of India. Some players might be prioritised in the preparation of that programme as Australia tries to get into Test cricket and prepare for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series.
Another major challenge for Australia’s fast-bowling force will be the South Africa Test series. Australia’s squad will also include a number of leading pacers, and Hazlewood is expected to be part of the team alongside Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Scott Boland.
It is also about the fitness of South African pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada. The fast bowler is recovering from a hamstring injury after not being able to participate in the ODI series. If he is not picked for the Test series, his status will be one of the most pertinent topics in the contest.
Hazlewood said Rabada’s injury is still not yet fully clear but praised the South African fast bowler for his ability and his quick recovery. Australia will be following developments closely, but the team will continue to work and prepare regardless of whether Rabada is available.
So Australian fast bowler Michael Neser is hopeful of recovering in time to be selected for the South Africa Test tour. He has suffered a calf injury during his fitness training ahead of the Bangladesh series and said that his rehabilitation is progressing ahead of schedule.
Neser's return would add to Australia’s pace attack and therefore provide Australia with more depth in its pace attack. For now, while he may not be an automatic selection with him not being a surefire pick in the playing XI, his experience and ability to contribute in different conditions could give the selectors another valuable option.
But for Hazlewood, the immediate focus is clear. A regular run of ODI games against Zimbabwe and South Africa might help him keep rhythm, fitness, and bowling intensity before Australia moves on to Test cricket.
Because of the demanding international schedule, Australia's management will have to find that balance between giving its fast bowlers enough match practice and staying physically fit. Hazlewood’s plan to play regularly and keep his workload in check will also be a very important aspect of Australia’s preparation for the South Africa Test challenge.
