Despite Australia’s failure to reach the semifinals of the T20 World Cup, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood believes there’s no need for a drastic squad revamp. With only one player, Cameron Green, under 30 in the current 15-man squad, the team’s experience remains a significant asset. Hazlewood, himself 33, believes that a gradual transition is more appropriate, highlighting the continued presence of many players in franchise cricket, making them readily available for selection. He acknowledges the need for improvement, particularly in fielding, where several crucial catches were dropped during the tournament. The defeat to India was particularly costly, with dropped catches allowing Hardik Pandya to contribute a crucial unbeaten 27 runs. Hazlewood attributes the fielding lapses to a combination of factors, including the lack of fielding practice opportunities during the tournament’s packed schedule and the windy conditions, which he says can make catching difficult regardless of wind direction. He emphasizes that while these factors don’t excuse the poor performance, they do provide some context for the dropped catches. The focus now shifts to addressing these fielding concerns and ensuring the team is better prepared for future challenges.
Hazlewood: No Drastic Changes Needed for Australia Despite T20 World Cup Exit
