Belief driving Hazlewood to success

Josh Hazlewood says he firmly believes he belongs in Australia’s Test and ODI teams after a successful summer.

A maiden ODI five-wicket haul against South Africa put him firmly on the radar of the National Selection Panel ahead of the Border-Gavaskar series, and he duly won his first Baggy Green in the second Commonwealth Bank Test against India in December, taking seven wickets including another five-wicket haul. 

At the World Cup, he traded places with Pat Cummins before cementing his place at the business end of the tournament in Australia's successful campaign, taking seven wickets in five matches, including a man-of-the-match four-wicket haul in the quarter-final against Pakistan.

Now the 24-year-old has the West Indies and England on his agenda as he becomes increasingly comfortable with his place in the international arena.

‘‘It seems a while ago now but starting off by bowling well in the one-day series against South Africa allowed me to kick my summer off on the right foot and then, to get picked for the Tests, is still special, unbelievable,’’ Hazlewood told the Sun Herald.

‘‘I feel I belong in both formats (for Australia) now.

“I don’t mind admitting at the beginning of the summer I felt quite nervous around the guys and wasn’t so sure if I belonged. But as time went on, and I started performing, I felt as though I belonged.

‘‘I never lacked self-confidence or belief, it was more a matter of just getting an opportunity or, at least, an extended run of playing cricket because in the past I’ve stopped and started and couldn’t get momentum.

‘‘I think knowing I’d be playing in the next couple of games took a bit of pressure off because it allowed for me to relax and to do my own thing.’’

Cricket Australia opted to withdraw the fast bowler from the Indian Premier League, where he had signed with Mumbai Indians, due to the packed winter schedule, which he is now preparing for at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane.

‘‘I haven’t been to the West Indies and that’s something I’m excited about and then there’s the Ashes,’’ he said.

“I only had three weeks off (after the World Cup final) so it’s pretty much been smooth sailing as we quicks build up our loads.’’

Ryan Harris will take no part in the Caribbean tour as he continues to be carefully managed, affording Peter Siddle another potential opportunity to display his wares alongside the likes of Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson.