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Australia's premier pacer Josh Hazlewood is set to miss a few T20Is of the five-T20I series against India as he will look to prepare for Ashes 2025-26 at home with one Sheffield Shield game. The New South Wales pacer has been named in Australia's squad for three-ODI series and the first two T20Is against India.
The second T20I of the series against India is scheduled to be played at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on October 31. The opening Test of the Ashes 2025-26 will commence on November 21. Hazlewood would have enough time to rest and prepare with a Shield game. New South Wales will take on Victoria in the four-day game starting on November 10 at Sydney Cricket Ground. Hazlewood would look to make transition to the red-ball game with a single domestic match.
"We've definitely had chats about fitting in a Shield game," Hazlewood said at a Cricket Australia sponsorship announcement with Woolworths on October 6. "I do think it's important when there's time for it. You don't want to squeeze things in or rush for it.
"This year I'm going to miss a couple of T20s to do that. Which I certainly don't like doing, missing games for Australia. But in the long run it is about getting the best prep for the Ashes as well. You can't have everything and that's the trade off at the moment."
Hazlewood happy to touch base across formats
Hazlewood is not concerned about the workload. He feels that playing the ODIs against India will help him get back to the groove. Also, by playing in the first two T20Is, he will stay in touch with the format, leading up the T20 World Cup 2026 which will begin on Indian soil in February.
"That's why I put my hand up for as many tours as I can," Hazlewood said. "Even if I only play two out of three on a tour, it just means I am still touching base with those formats.
"My game doesn't change too much. I have been around long enough to duck and dive in each format and chop and change."
Bailey looking for balance as he wants players Ashes ready
Australia’s chief selector George Bailey was of similar opinion. He has not included Cameron Green and Alex Carey in the squad for T20I series against India. The remaining three T20Is may witness a not-so-full-strength squad against India and give Mitchell Marsh to test his bench strength.
"We have named a squad for the ODI series and first two games of the T20 series as there will be some management through the back end of the series as individuals prepare for the summer through Sheffield Shield cricket," chairman of selectors Bailey said while announcing the squad for India white-ball series.
"The majority of the T20 squad will remain together as it's an important period in the build towards the World Cup next year, however we are trying to strike a balance to ensure we simultaneously prepare certain individuals for the Test series ahead."
Hazlewood will have added responsibility as he will be bowling in tandem with Mitchell Starc in the ODI series against India, starting on October 19 at Perth Stadium.
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