Australian Captain Aaron Finch said that Josh Hazlewood’s experience of playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL helped the Aussie bowlers to a large extent. Hazlewood was Australia’s standout performer in the T20 World Cup 2021. The 30-year-old ended his T20 World Cup 2021 campaign with 11 wickets in seven matches at a strike rate of 13 and an excellent economy rate of 7.29.
Josh Hazlewood had played for CSK in the IPL 2021, where he picked 11 wickets in nine games. As Josh was accustomed to the playing conditions in the UAE, he adapted to the conditions quickly in the World Cup and was one of the key components in Australia’s triumph.
“He (Hazlewood) was really important to our bowling group. To be able to share his experience at CSK was really important. The lengths to bowl, particularly at the end of the tournament, where the wickets start to get a little bit more worn. And hard lengths, which is Josh’s specialty, were tough to hit. And it was really important that he passed on that information.”
Josh Hazlewood’s performance in the IPL forced his way into the starting 11: Aaron Finch
Finch further revealed that Hazlewood forced his way into the playing XI ahead of Kane Richardson on the back of his impressive bowling efforts in the IPL. The Australian fast bowler produced a brilliant spell in the final, picking three wickets for just 16 runs. No bowler has taken more wickets in the Powerplay than Josh Hazlewood in the T20 World Cup 2021.
“Honestly, his performances in IPL probably forced his way into starting XI over Richardson, who is a wonderful T20 bowler. And someone who has been so important to us. But yeah, that was a tough call,” Finch added