WTC Final: Josh Hazlewood says he is bowling better than ever ahead of SA clash

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood says he's bowling as well as he ever has, downplaying any doubts over his fitness ahead of the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord's starting Wednesday.The experienced fast bowler is in a head-to-head contest with Scott Boland for the final pace spot in Australia's attack, alongside captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. Hazlewood hasn't played a Test since the third match of last summer's Border-Gavaskar Trophy, when a calf injury forced him out mid-game at the Gabba. A side strain had already kept him out of the second Test in Adelaide.advertisementBut after a strong IPL campaign - where he claimed 22 wickets and helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru win their first title - Hazlewood says he's fully prepared for the return to red-ball cricket.
"I was obviously quite close last time," Hazlewood said, referring to the 2023 WTC final, which he missed. "I just had a more interrupted IPL leading into that, and a few issues going on, so wasn't quite up to scratch. But I feel in a much better place this time around."Hazlewood has taken 57 wickets at 19.68 across 13 Tests since the start of the 2023 Ashes, and says he's confident in his form and execution."I still feel like I'm bowling probably the best of my career. It's just a matter of the body holding up - and it has been in the last few months," he said.advertisementThe WTC mace is one of the few major trophies missing from Hazlewood's collection. Last year's final saw Boland take his place, delivering a key performance in Australia's win over India.Boland also impressed in the home series against India, taking 21 wickets at 13.19, including a ten-wicket haul at the SCG, further tightening the selection battle.Hazlewood bowled five overs with the Dukes ball at moderate intensity during Australia's optional training session in Beckenham on Saturday. He's scheduled for a more intense, match-simulation session at Lord's on Sunday. In preparation, he had already started red-ball training while still in India."The intensity is probably the big one to tick off," Hazlewood said. "We've been adapting training to get in those back-to-back days, a big session followed by another the next day, just to get used to the demands again.""I ticked over some good overs just before the final in Ahmedabad - in different weather than this," he added with a smile.Australia's selectors now have a tough decision to make: go with Hazlewood's experience and current form, or reward Boland's recent dominance. You May Also Like

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