Josh Hazlewood recalls the time he wasn’t considered a bowler for T20 format

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has recently talked about his white-ball cricket experience and how things had gone from strength to strength for him ahead of the T20I series against Sri Lanka.

Hazlewood was Australia's lead pacer in T20Is during the 2021-22 season as he has taken the most wickets amongst fast bowlers, with 31 wickets at an average of 14.22 in 18 matches, and an economy of 6.61. But once there was a time when he was not considered a bowler for the shortest form of the game. 

Recalling those days, Hazlewood said he made a conscious effort to get back into T20 cricket, realizing that there were a couple of world events lined up.

"I could see a couple of World Cups coming up in T20 cricket and wanted to poke my nose back in at the IPL, so I jumped in for the Sixers," Hazlewood told cricket.com.au.

"It was probably that period when I made a conscious effort to get back into T20. It was so hard before that with logistical issues, tours were overlapping, and you had to pick and choose what you wanted to play for Australia. Took that opportunity to play the Big Bash, and that led to playing for Chennai (Chennai Super Kings) and I ended up playing more and more games as time went on, then here we are," he added. 

"It's a strange one, I guess. I've obviously missed a fair bit of red-ball cricket through injury and selection so, a little bit disappointing in that regard. Then the white-ball, T20 in particular, has gone strength to strength. That's the benefit of having three formats in this sport. If you are struggling in one, or not going particularly well, then you can rely on another one to come through," Hazelwood further stated.

With a big tour of Sri Lanka starting this month, the New South Wales cricketer spoke about the possibility of Australia going with one less pace bowling option against Sri Lanka in the upcoming T20I, ODI, and Test series as conditions are different in the Asian subcontinent.

"We're lucky to have Cam Green (Cameron Green) there to cover a lot of bases and obviously you need airspeed on those wickets to have an impact." 

The right-arm Aussie quick also explained how the difference between the trio of him, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc helps in the outcome of a Test match and the whole series.

"But I think just that blend of all three of us (being) a little bit different really helps throughout a Test match and throughout a Test series," Hazlewood concluded.

Hazlewood will be seen in action in the upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka starting on June 7 in Colombo.