Cliff Notes – Hazlewood, Starc in line for SCG Shield outing before Ashes
- Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc are set to play a Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales before the Ashes, likely missing three T20Is against India for preparation.
- Australian officials are considering various options for Ashes preparations, with Hazlewood emphasising the importance of a Shield game for optimal readiness.
- Hazlewood remains committed to participating in multiple formats, aiming for a balanced workload ahead of the T20 World Cup and the Ashes series.
Hazlewood, Starc in line for SCG Shield outing before Ashes
Josh Hazlewood is confident one Sheffield Shield game will be enough for him and Mitchell Starc before the Ashes, with the quick likely to skip three T20Is against India to play for New South Wales.
Hazlewood and Starc were on Tuesday both named in Australia’s squad to face India in three ODIs later this month, which kicks off the main part of the home summer.
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Five T20Is then follow, and while Starc has retired from that format, Hazlewood has been listed in the squad for the first two of those games on October 29 and 31.
Australian officials are keeping an open mind to Ashes preparations, ahead of the first Test in Perth beginning on November 21.
But the most likely scenario remains having the duo play for NSW against Victoria in a Shield match from November 10, before a one-week preparation into the first Test.
“We’ve definitely had chats about fitting in a Shield game,” Hazlewood said at a cricket Australia sponsorship announcement with Woolworths on Monday. “I do think it’s important when there’s time for it. You don’t want to squeeze things in or rush for it.
“This year I’m going to miss a couple of T20s to do that. Which I certainly don’t like doing, missing games for Australia. But in the long run it is about getting the best prep for the Ashes as well. You can’t have everything and that’s the trade off at the moment.”
Josh Hazlewood appeals Getty Images
It creates the potential for a star-studded NSW side to take the field at the SCG. Nathan Lyon is eyeing three out of the first four Shield matches before the first Test and is expected to miss the round two fixture at Junction Oval which would leave him to face Queensland at the Gabba then Victoria in Sydney.
It’s understood that Steve Smith is also in line to play while Sam Konstas will likely line up, although by then he will know his Test fate with the squad due to be named after the third round of Shield fixtures.
Pat Cummins will sit out the white-ball matches against India as he fights to recover from his back issues in time for the first Test.
Hazlewood said playing the ODIs would also help with preparation, with three games in the space of a week offering a reasonable workload.
There is a fine balance for the 34-year-old to strike, given he is still eying off playing in the T20 World Cup in February before another ODI tournament in 2027.
“That’s why I put my hand up for as many tours as I can,” Hazlewood said. “Even if I only play two out of three on a tour, it just means I am still touching base with those formats.
“My game doesn’t change too much. I have been around long enough to duck and dive in each format and chop and change.”
Hazlewood said it was possible for him to play all five Ashes Tests, with lengthy gaps between the first three helping bowlers manage their fitness.