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Hat-trick may not be enough for Hazlewood

Paceman says he's in a three-way battle for one spot in Australia's bowling attack for their World T20 opener

Josh Hazlewood could hardly have impressed more in Australia's World Twenty20 warm-up game at Kolkata.

But Hazlewood suspects a hat-trick in the loss to West Indies may not be rewarded with a spot in the XI for Friday's clash in Dharamsala, where Australia start their tournament against New Zealand.

Quick Single: Hazlewood shines with hat-trick in Kolkata

"They've probably already got their XI in the back of their mind (prior to Sunday's game)," Hazlewood said.

"There's a couple of our guys who didn't bowl in the match, a couple of quicks who did quite well in South Africa.

"There's plenty of competition for every spot so we'll see what happens on Friday."

WATCH: Halewood hits his lengths in Kolkata

James Faulkner, David Warner and Nathan Coulter-Nile were all rested from the three-wicket defeat to West Indies, who hauled in a target of 162 with a ball spare.

All three are expected to return to return for the trans-Tasman clash.

Hazlewood suggested he, Coulter-Nile and Andrew Tye may well be fighting for spot in the XI because of the glut of allrounders available in the 15-man squad.

"It could be as simple as that. Depending on the wicket, it could really be one quick and a bunch of allrounders who do play this format a lot of the time," Hazlewood said.

Quick Single: Australia suffer warm-up defeat to Windies

Hazlewood, who had figures of 3-4 after this opening spell of three overs, accepted it's unlikely selectors will make too many changes to the XI throughout the tournament.

The Test spearhead had a running selection battle with Pat Cummins throughout last year's World Cup; the two quicks trading places before selectors eventually went with Hazlewood for the knockout matches.

Hazlewood doubted whether there will be a repeat in India given the T20 tournament runs for just two and a half weeks.

WATCH: Australia beaten in WT20 opener

"The one-day World Cup, it went a little bit longer, six weeks," Hazlewood said.

"If you get that first opportunity and take it in this one, we've got four games in pretty quick time.

"So I don't think there will be as much chopping and changing but in saying that it depends on the conditions at each ground."

Hazlewood trapped Jason Holder lbw then rattled the stumps of Marlon Samuels and Dwayne Bravo at Eden Gardens to complete his hat-trick.

Regrettably for the 25-year-old, being a practice game it won't count towards his international T20 record.

"I've had a couple of opportunities the summer just gone (to grab a hat-trick) and didn't get it right, so I was happy tonight," he said.

Australia likely XI: Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Steve Smith (c), David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, James Faulkner, Peter Nevill, Nathan Coulter-Nile, John Hastings, Adam Zampa