'Everyone is carrying some sort of niggle...': Josh Hazlewood ends speculations around participation in all five Ashes Tests after decimating India's batting unit

Australia's star speedster Josh Hazlewood declared that he wants to play all five Ashes Tests and plans to trouble England's 'Bazball' alongside Mitchell Starc just like they did in the rain-affected 1st ODI of the three-match ODI series against India at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

Australia's regular captain Pat Cummins, who is currently on the road to recovery, will likely to miss the first Test of the Ashes against England on November 21, which is scheduled to take place at the same venue.

Australia's fast bowling options for Ashes

Hazlewood, Starc and Scott Boland will likely be the fast bowling options for the hosts. Since Cummins took over the captaincy in 2021, Hazlewood has missed multiple series due to injuries every summer. The only phase during which he contested in all five Tests was in 2023-24 against Pakistan and West Indies.

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Hazlewood wants the same pitch for the Ashes Test

After picking important wickets of Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer with his unplayable deliveries, Hazlewood openly expressed his intention of playing on a similar strip that would allow him to test the outside edge of England batters.

"For sure. Perth always offers some nice bounce and pace which has served us well in the past, especially with our bowlers who all offer something different," Hazlewood said when asked if he wanted a similar pitch for the first Ashes Test as quoted from The Sydney Morning Herald.

"It was a nice start. [My] rhythm felt good off the back of New Zealand. Everything is feeling good at the moment, a nice way to start the build [to the Ashes]," he added.

Hazlewood for Ashes

Notably, the first ODI between India and Australia was 26 overs apiece, and Hazlewood consistently bowled at 140kph and extracted extra bounce to dominate against India's batting unit. During his seven-over spell, the 34-year-old kept the visitors chained and conceded 20 runs as India crumbled to 136/9, which served as the foundation for a seven-wicket triumph for the hosts.

"That's the life of a fast bowler, everyone is carrying some sort of niggle. My body feels great right now, I am very confident of getting through all five without any dramas," Hazlewood concluded.

Hazlewood will now be seen in action in the second ODI against India, which is scheduled to take place on September 23 at Adelaide Oval. The Men in Blue will look to bounce back in the second ODI.