Thunderbolts from the Bendemeer boy

A fast bowling action forged in the NSW country town of Bendemeer and refined in neighbouring Tamworth will today see Josh Hazlewood become Australia's 440th Test cricketer.

Bendeemeer, a hub for local sheep and cattle graziers with only a few hundred inhabitants, was perhaps previously best known as the site of the early exploits of 'Captain Thunderbolt', bushranger Frederick Ward, in the 1860s.

Bendemeer's brightest prospect will be hoping to unleash some thunderbolts of his own when given the opportunity to bowl as he makes his Test debut in the second Commonwealth Bank Test against India.

Hazlewood gets his opportunity along with NSW teammate Mitchell Starc after pace duo Ryan Harris (quad strain) and Peter Siddle were omitted.

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The 23-year-old has come close to representing his country at Test level before.

In 2010, the 196cm quick was picked on Australia's tour to India as a 19-year-old prodigy, but was forced to withdraw with stress fractures in his back.

Two years later, Hazlewood was added to the third Test squad to face South Africa in Perth, with Victorian John Hastings getting the nod.

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Hazlewood celebrating one if his six Shield final wickets earlier this year // Getty Images

Since then, the right-armer has starred for state and country. His 6-50 in last season's Bupa Sheffield Shield final against the Alcohol.Think Again Western Warriors all but secured NSW's 46th first-class title to give NSW a 267-run first innings lead.

A side strain ruled him out of Australia A's quadrangular one-day series campaign in Darwin this winter – also robbing him of a berth for the Tour of the UAE to face Pakistan.

He returned from the injury for the Blues in the Matador One Day Cup, bursting out of the gates in the tournament opener with a career-best 7-36 against the West End Redbacks at Allan Border Oval in October.

His stellar white ball form earned him selection in Australia's one-day international team for the Carlton Mid ODI series against South Africa. In four matches, the towering fast bowler captured nine wickets, including 5-31 at the WACA Ground.

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Preferring chin music to the country variety more usually associated with Tamworth, a tall, simple action that produces speeds upwards of 140kph and late swing away from the right-handers is the same model that was engineered as a schoolboy, according to his former coach John Muller.

"What impressed me is that he listened carefully and I said to him take it nice and easy when you run in, keep your arm by your side and don't throw your arm around," recalled Muller on his first memories of the young Oxley High student.

"He listened really attentively and the action I see today is not much that different. I'm very proud he's held onto that action.

"I have always maintained when a bowler releases the ball in a truly upright position then he can follow through, and he is a great example, as is Ryan Harris.

"It hasn't changed from what I taught him and it's very pleasing to see."

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Hazlewood and Muller in Tamworth. Muller knew he saw something special when he first met the young tearaway // Private

Muller, a former left-arm spin bowler who played against the 1960 West Indies touring party, taught at the Ken Falkenmire Academy in Tamworth where Hazlewood learned not only the skills of the game but also the etiquette on the field.

Standing nearly two-metres tall, Hazlewood can generate steepling bounce and express speeds, a talent that presented itself early to Muller's delight.

"He had a nice pace for his age. We concentrated on that and accuracy. With that action, it really helps you maintain a good length.

"He certainly had a bit of pace and did very well here in the local competition in Tamworth."

Those prodigious physical gifts coupled with his quiet, respectful temperament earned him a NSW rookie contract while he was still in year 12, despite not having played a single game in Sydney grade cricket.

At 17, Hazlewood became the youngest fast bowler to represent NSW when he took the new ball for the Blues against New Zealand in a tour match at the SCG, claiming 2-53 in his first innings including the wicket of future Black Caps captain Ross Taylor.

With first-class experience under his belt, the spearhead outclassed his opponents for Australia in the 2010 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, taking out man of the match honours in the final with four wickets to finish with 13 for the tournament.

Muller has a mantra he tells all cricketers that come through the academy: "The harder you work the luckier you get." Today Josh Hazlewood's hard work will be rewarded with a Baggy Green cap.

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All smiles. Hazlewood with his man of the match award after the U19 World Cup final // Getty Images