Josh Hazlewood offering another look at Australia’s cricketing future

The 6ft 5 ins (1.96m) fast bowler is another vital figures in the ongoing changing of the guard for Australia, and will be in the spotlight during his first Test cap this week.

Josh Hazlewood has taken 90 first-class wickets in Australian domestic play. John Clifton / Action Images

A changing of the guard is taking place in Australian Test cricket and the gathering pace of the rebuilding process will be on show in Brisbane this week.

With one eye on the future, Australian selectors anointed Steve Smith as their new skipper on Monday and began replenishing the bowling stocks a day later by awarding a first Test cap to Josh Hazlewood for the second Test against India.

The lanky paceman has long been recognised as a rising star of Australian cricket but the 23-year-old’s elevation to the Test team has taken longer than expected.

He played his first one-day-international as a teenager in 2010 and was selected for Australia’s tour of India later that year but withdrew because of a back injury.

Hazlewood had to wait more than three years before playing his second ODI for Australia, then another year before finally getting his first call up to the Test team.

“It’s very exciting. I’ve watched Josh very closely over the last couple of years at New South Wales and he impresses me every time,” Smith told reporters in Brisbane on Tuesday.

“I think he’s only getting better and better. This pitch out here is going to suit him perfectly.”

Standing 6ft 5in (1.96m) tall, Hazlewood has all the physical attributes for a fast bowler and has been steadily making his presence felt in Australia’s first-class competition.

In this year’s Sheffield Shield final, he took career-best figures of 6 for 50 to help New South Wales win the title. Then last month, he took his best ODI figures when he snared 5 for 31 for Australia against South Africa.

Smith becomes the 440th player to play a Test for Australia. He will be presented with his baggy green cap on the Gabba outfield prior to the start of the second of four Tests against India on Wednesday morning.

The new captain is confident Hazlewood will be a big success on a bouncy Gabba surface where he has captured 24 first class wickets.

“He’s very skilful for his age,” Smith added. “I’m just looking forward to seeing him zing a few through and bowl with that extra bit of pace and get that extra bit of bounce.

“(The Gabba) is traditionally quite a fast and bouncy wicket and it certainly looks no different out there for this Test match.”

Australia lead the series 1-0 after completing a thrilling 48-run victory on Saturday.

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