Cricket World Cup: Josh Hazlewood embracing build up to final

Josh Hazlewood admits the gravity of the 2015 World Cup final may have passed him by eight years ago, but the big quick plans to soak up every moment of this iteration.

The baby of Australia’s XI when the side last won the one-day World Cup eight years ago, Josh Hazlewood will be soaking in the experience this time around after not fully appreciating the gravity of the occasion in 2015.

Paceman Hazlewood is one of five survivors from the side that beat New Zealand to win the World Cup final at the MCG in March 2015 that will take on India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Steve Smith, David Warner, Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell will also be doubling up, while Mitch Marsh and Pat Cummins were part of the 2015 squad but not in the XI for the final.

Hazlewood was 24 in 2015 and had only just become a regular member of the Australian side. Now 32 and a mainstay of the team over much of the past decade, he says he didn’t quite grasp the significance of making the final last time.

Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins in the dressing rooms after Australia defeated New Zealand in the final of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup at the MCG. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“It does feel a little bit different I guess,” Hazlewood said.

“One thing with 2015 was all the older guys were ‘saying this is amazing, home final in your own country for a World Cup rarely get the opportunity to do that.’ And I guess it sort of just passed me by a little bit so I’ll definitely enjoy the next few days and enjoy the game. We obviously had the (Twenty20) World Cup in Dubai (in 2021) as well. Most of the guys here were in that team. So yeah, we’ve had some good success lately.”

However the Aussies’ build-up for the final will be low-key, said the paceman.

“Will probably golf on the Saturday, the day before the game, and turn up Sunday for the game. It’s been pretty similar the whole way through,” Hazlewood said.

Josh Hazlewood (C) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of South Africa's Rassie van der Dussen during the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) second semi-final. Picture: AFP

Funnily that will likely mean a return to the golf course on which Maxwell was concussed in the lead-up to the league stage match against England.

Hazlewood accepted the Aussies didn’t know what they would be confronted with in terms of the Ahmedabad pitch, but that they would calmly play whatever cards they were dealt.

“We will see when we get there. It’s always expect the unexpected in India. We’re not surprised by anything here. Everyone in this team has been here for a long time for IPL, for different series. When we get there, we’ll see it and make a decision on what we do first and do it well.”

Hazlewood also said that facing South African left-arm tweakers Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj in the semi-final should serve Australia well ahead of confronting Indian pair Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja on Sunday.

Originally published as Cricket World Cup: Josh Hazlewood embracing build up to final