India tour of Australia: Hosts to rest Josh Hazlewood after first two ODIs

New Delhi: In the absence of injured bowler Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood was expected to lead the Australian bowling line-up against India in the five-match ODI series.

However, if reports are to be believed, then the hosts are planning to give in-form Hazlewood some rest after the first two ODIs, which is to be played in Brisbane and Perth.

“There’s no doubt we want to give Josh (Hazlewood) a rest. He’s very important to us, as we all know. We will certainly manage him, as per what the medicos’ advice is, ” Australian selector Trevor Hohns was quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph.

“But… with the first couple of games in Brisbane and Perth we thought it was essential to have him in the squad initially, because he normally bowls very well at both of those cities,” he added.

Hazlewood, who turned 25 on Friday, played in all six Tests during the Australian summer, wherein they hosted New Zealand and West Indies for three Tests each.

Australian bowling line-up will look a bit depleted on paper if selectors decided to rest the pacer, as star pacer Starc has already been ruled out.

On their tour of Australia, India will play a five-match ODI series followed by three-match Twenty20 series.