Kolkata, Mar 23 (UNI) Australia’s premium pacer Josh Hazlewood played his first competitive game since December 2024 when he featured for his IPL franchise side, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, on
Saturday night.
Hazlewood was one of the pillars for his side’s win against Kolkata Knight Riders picking an excellent 2/22 on his return. The 34-year-old was pleased with his successful comeback.
“I feel like I got through the game very well. I know the intensity is through the roof, but it's only four overs,” Hazlewood said in the post-match conference.
Prior to this contest, the 34-year-old had featured in the Brisbane Test against India last year before a calf strain ruled him out of the remaining Tests. He was also later ruled out of the Sri Lanka tour and Champions Trophy, as he continued to manage the ongoing injuries.
However, the pacer seemed sure that his fitness was in order, and looked forward towards a gradual rebuild throughout the tournament.
“I feel I'll just keep building throughout the tournament and this is probably the freshest I've been in a long time. I've done a lot of work off the field to get back to this point, which was tough, but I think I am mentally and physically refreshed,” Hazlewood said.
Among Hazlewood’s wickets was Quinton de Kock, who was caught behind the wicket, the ICC reported.
Hazlewood was understandably pleased after getting the South African’s wicket.
“I've bowled quite a lot to Quinton de Kock in all formats. He is a very dangerous player, so better to keep it simple and really tight,” Hazlewood told reporters. “I know I went a little wide to him and he hit me for four. The plan was not trying to go too full or too short, really sticking to those hard lengths.”
The plan paid dividends as de Kock fell in the very first over of the tournament.
“If he makes something off that length that I was bowling for four or six, then that's just a good shot. So yeah, sticking to my strengths definitely worked,” he said.
Australia’s next engagement will be the World Test Championship Final 2025, in which Hazlewood is expected to play a major role as the side’s top-flight seamer.
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