Australian paceman Josh Hazlewood selected to decide out of the 14th version of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to recharge forward of one other huge yr of worldwide cricket. Hazlewood was set to depart with Australia’s IPL-bound gamers as we speak and hyperlink again up with franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK), with whom he performed final season when the event was staged within the UAE.
But having spent very long time in varied bio-secure bubbles from final August to January this yr, the 30-year-old has determined to skip the IPL to refresh and spend time at residence with family and friends.
“It’s been a long 10 months in bubbles and quarantine at different times, so I decided to have a rest from cricket and spend some time at home and in Australia in the next two months,” Hazlewood was quoted as sayiny by cricket.com.au on Wednesday (March 31).
“We’ve got a big winter ahead too. The West Indies is going to be a long tour, with Bangladesh (T20 tour) potentially thrown on the end of that. Then potentially the T20 World Cup leading into the Ashes, so it’s a big 12 months, as it always is with Australia, and I want to give myself the best chance to be mentally and physically ready for that. That’s the decision I’ve made, and it sits pretty well with me,” the main Australian paceman added.
Hazlewood, and his nationwide teammates, have been put underneath COVID-19 restrictions from July final yr earlier than he left for England with Australia’s limited-overs group the place he was in strict bio-secure lockdown earlier than heading to the UAE the place once more security protocols have been tight.
His return to Australia in November began with two weeks in resort isolation in Adelaide earlier than transferring into the lads’s worldwide bubble which additionally contained rivals India. The bubble with India led to late January.
The quick bowler follows Josh Philippe and Mitchell Marsh in withdrawing from the IPL, whereas it’s understood different Australians are additionally contemplating opting out. Hazlewood performed simply three video games for the MS Dhoni-led aspect in IPL 2020 and would have been competing with the likes of England pair Moeen Ali and Sam Curran, Proteas fast Lungi Ngidi and Windies veteran all-rounder Dwayne Bravo for a bowling spot within the XI.
CSK’s loss is NSW’s acquire, with Hazlewood now obtainable for the again finish of the home season.
