Cup absence could fire Ashes campaign

Australian Test captain Tim Paine expects slighted paceman Josh Hazlewood to use his World Cup absence as motivation for the upcoming Ashes series.

Despite being a key member of the Australian team that won the 2015 World Cup, Hazlewood was twice overlooked for the 2019 tournament; he was left out of the initial 15-man squad in April before selectors chose to replace the injured Jhye Richardson with Kane Richardson, determining that Hazlewood had not recovered sufficiently from a back injury.

Paine said he hasn’t spoken to the fast bowler in recent weeks, adding Australia’s Test side might be the main beneficiary of the selection call when the Ashes get underway at Edgbaston on August 1.

"I must admit when I've seen him speak about missing out, I think he is a bit dirty," Paine said at Kayo's Cricket World Cup launch in Melbourne.

"And that's not a bad thing for me as a captain and us as a Test side, because we know how good he is when he's at his best.

"I've seen some footage and some numbers on his fitness in the last three or four weeks and I think he's in the best condition he's ever been in.

"He's going to be cherry ripe come the first Ashes Test, which is really exciting."

Hazlewood, a veteran of 44 Tests, admits he failed to meet expectations during England's 3-2 home Ashes series triumph in 2015, but Paine expected a much better showing from the New South Welshman this time around.

"He was the one who brought it up and said he didn't handle it well and I'm sure he's learnt a hell of a lot," Paine said.

"He's a hell of a bowler and he's now had four more years of international cricket.

"I'm sure he knows exactly what he needs to fix to improve how he went in the last (away) Ashes."

Paine was also excited by the prospect of adding James Pattinson to his pace arsenal after the tearaway Victorian ended the Australian domestic summer with a bang, finally enjoying a change of luck on the injury front.

"I'm not a religious man but I have said a few prayers when I've gone to bed at night the last couple of months to make sure he's fit," Paine said with a smile.

"He can clearly add a lot to our Test match team.

"The England guys have seen him bowl in county cricket in the last couple of years and at times he's been quite devastating. I think that'll be in the back of their minds.

"At times during this Ashes series, if he's fully fit, he's going to be a real weapon."

Tim Paine was speaking at Kayo's Cricket World Cup launch in Melbourne. Kayo will have every match from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 LIVE. Sign up for a 14-day free trial here

Qantas Ashes Tour of the UK 2019

Tour match: Australia v Australia A, Hampshire, July 23-26

First Test: August 1-5 at Edgbaston, Birmingham

Tour match: Australia v Worcestershire, August 7-9

Second Test: August 14-18 at Lord's, London

Third Test: August 22-26 at Headingley, Leeds

Tour match: Australia v Derbyshire, August 29-31

Fourth Test: September 4-8 at Old Trafford, Manchester

Fifth Test: September 12-16 at The Oval, London