New South Wales fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is poised to become the youngest debutant in Australia’s one-day international history after he was named in the national team to play Ireland and England.
Hazlewood was called in place of fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, who has been ruled out of the first leg of the England tour this month due to an elbow injury suffered during the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies.
The towering NSW player will be 19 years and 160 days old when Australia plays its first game of the tour, against Ireland in Dublin next Thursday.
He boasts an impressive junior resume, which includes a starring role in Australia’s under-19 World Youth Cup final win over Pakistan in January.
Talking about his selection, Hazlewood said: “It’s all pretty exciting it’s all happening pretty quickly.”
A right-arm fast bowler, Hazlewood’s idol was Oz fast bowling legend, Glenn McGrath.
“I’m probably about the same height (as McGrath), but hopefully not the pigeon legs like him,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Hazlewood, as saying.
“I’m just hoping to learn a lot from the (Australian) fast bowlers over there and maybe get a little time with the ball,” he added.
Meanwhile, Australian selectors chairman Andrew Hilditch said that losing Johnson was disappointing, but it created an opportunity for Hazlewood to earn some valuable experience.
“It’s a very exciting time for Australian cricket as we continue to take opportunities to expose our talented cricketers to international cricket. Josh has been identified as one of a crop of young fast bowlers who NSP (National Selection Panel) consider can impact for Australia at international level,” Hilditch said.
