Australian World Cup winner Josh Hazlewood remains unsold in IPL auction and will miss Indian Premier League ahead of 2024 T20 World Cup in West Indies and USA , would like to play more T20 matches.
After four consecutive seasons in the cash-rich league, Hazlewood was left unsold at auction for the 2024 tournament. The 33-year-old will likely play a key role for Australia at the T20 World Cup later this year, given his recent talent in the shorter formats.
Talking to Cricket.com.au, Josh Hazlewood wants to play as many matches as possible without taking part in the IPL, adding that Australia is heading into the new tournament. He said he hopes to have a full-strength team. He said the league would set up a New Zealand series and was looking forward to a hard-fought series in the neighboring country.
“Now that the IPL is gone, I want to play as much as I can now and be well prepared for April.
“I think we’ll give it our all in this New Zealand series. They’re a quality team, especially over there, and the Test team looks good too.” It’s going to be a tough few weeks in New Zealand. ” said Josh Hazelwood.
Hazlewood are currently playing a three-match ODI series against West Indies, with Australia already building a 2-0 lead. After the match against West Indies, Australia will head to New Zealand to host her third Twenty20 International and her second Test in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch.
For The Young Kids To Play Three International Games In That Space With Travel Was A Bit Tough – Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood praised Xavier Bartlett, Lance Morris, Will Sutherland and Aaron Hardy for their recent efforts for Australia. However, he stood by his decision not to play against them in every match of the series.
“Three games in five days. It was a little tough for young kids to play three international games in this space with the travel involved,” added Josh Hazlewood.
Josh Hazlewood is reported to be unavailable for at least the first half of next season as he is due to give birth to his first child in March, which may be the reason why he was not sold at the IPL auction. Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are expected to be the starting pacers for the New Zealand series.
