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Hazlewood eyes NZ to push for T20 berth

Bowler hopeful of performance in Chappell-Hadlee series to state case for coveted World T20 spot

A rested and rejuvenated Josh Hazlewood says Australia's cricket tour of New Zealand is a chance to stamp himself as a force in every format of the game.

Hazlewood is yet to bowl with a red ball across the Tasman, and has been called into the national one-day side for next month's Qantas Tour of New Zealand after sitting out the last four ODIs against India.

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Two Tests follow the ODIs and after accounting for the Black Caps and West Indies in Test matches at home, the challenge of an away series is shaping as one of the highlights of Hazlewood's summer.

"It's going to be really tough in both formats to beat New Zealand at home," Hazlewood told reporters in Sydney today.

"They play some really good cricket there, as we found in that World Cup game at Eden Park.

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"With a hostile crowd as well, and they know conditions really well batting and bowling, so they're very tough to beat over there."

Hazlewood's previous experience of bowling in New Zealand is limited to the 2010 Under-19 World Cup, where his 4-30 in the final against Pakistan won Australia the tournament.

He said in an ideal world there would be a red-ball warm-up match, but didn't believe the lack of one would hinder Australia's Test preparations.

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"As long as we're playing in those conditions, even though it is with a white ball and a different format, I think it's going to benefit us playing three games before the Test," Hazlewood said.

Having spent the time off in recovery mode to freshen up physically – "It doesn't sound much but 10 or 12 days of no bowling does really help" – Hazlewood will use the ODI series to push his name forward to be a three-format player for Australia.

While Hazlewood hasn't played an international Twenty20 since early 2014, he is determined to put himself in the frame for this year's World T20 in India.

"You use that ODI format so if you do well in that they (selectors) take a look at you for T20s," Hazlewood said.

"Any time you get the opportunity to perform and perform well it's going to go in your favour.

"I enjoy (T20) and have done reasonably well over the years for the (Sydney) Sixers."