Australian cricketer Josh Hazlewood has expressed his desire to maximise his playing time during the period when international cricketers will be participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
He is anticipated to play a significant role in the Australian team during the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held later this year in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).
Despite featuring in four consecutive seasons, initially with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and subsequently with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Hazlewood went unsold in the auction for the forthcoming edition of the tournament.
"With missing IPL... I want to play as much as I can now and then put the feet up for April," Hazlewood said, as quoted by cricket.com.au.
The 33-year-old bowler is presently participating in the three-match ODI series against the West Indies, with Australia already holding an insurmountable 2-0 lead.
'Full-strength' Australia to face New Zealand
Following the series against the West Indies, Australia will travel to New Zealand for engagements comprising three T20Is and two Tests, spanning across Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch.
Considering the formidable prowess of the Black Caps, Hazlewood stated that Australia would field a complete and competitive squad.
"I think it'll be full strength for that New Zealand series, they're a quality side in particular over there and the Test team looks outstanding as well.
"That's going to be a tough couple of weeks over there in New Zealand," he stated.
Hazlewood also lauded the likes of Xavier Bartlett, Lance Morris, Will Sutherland and Aaron Hardie for their performances in recent times. But he also backed the call of not playing them in every match of the series.
"It's three games in five days, for the young kids to play three international games in that space with travel, they thought it was a bit tough," Hazlewood added.
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