Form has Josh Hazlewood in contention for a Test debut, while fitness has the 23-year-old convinced he is ready for cricket’s big stage.
Hazlewood is the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing one-day international (ODI) series against South Africa, having snared nine scalps and piloted Australia to a 2-1 lead.
Since making his ODI debut at the age of 19, Hazlewood has been touted as the future of the Australian pace attack alongside James Pattinson, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.
Like Pattinson, Cummins and Starc, numerous injuries have followed.
But Hazlewood has made a pain-free and productive start to the current season.
Next week the NSW giant could be named in the Test squad for the series opener at the Gabba, which starts on December 4.
“Just in the mix really,” Hazlewood replied on Thursday when asked if the topic had been broached by national selectors.
“Obviously I’ve been going pretty well the last few weeks and got that (Sheffield) Shield game early in the season, which was good.
“There’s plenty of bowlers in the mix, so we’ll see how it goes.”
Hazlewood went within a whisker of making his Test debut two years ago, when he was named 12th man against South Africa in Perth.
“I think I’m much more ready now,” Hazlewood said.
“Definitely. I’ve been on the park for a while now in succession, and I haven’t really had that in previous years.
“The body’s feeling good and everything seems to be falling into place.”
Hazlewood suggested there was no secret formula behind keeping his 196cm frame together.
“I think it’s just getting older and getting the body a bit stronger over the last few years,” he said.
The right-armer is the only Australian paceman to have played all three ODI contests against South Africa over the past week.
Hazlewood was unsure whether he would be rested from the fifth and final game in Sydney on Sunday, or the Shield game that starts at the SCG on Tuesday.
“I’ll take that as it comes. It will depend on … how much I bowl and how the body is feeling,” he said.
Outback Hunter
Guest
Virat Kohli will hit Hazelwood so badly out of park, Hazelwood will retire after gabba, like Shaun Tait did after the Perth Test Check Tait's swagger before Perth Test against India, and sachin maule dhim so bad, Tait was in grief
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
:D
twodogs
Guest
I don't know either Tom, but two possibilities arise- 1. His name is too difficult to spell or even pronounce. (Well after all they are only selectors!) 2. Even if they can spell it, it has a certain South African ring to it. They need normal names like Clarke, Johnson, Watson etc. Geez if that's the case, Usman may have to emigrate to England!
Tom from Perth
Guest
There are some criminal misuses of stats on here at the moment.
Tom from Perth
Guest
Absolutely. I also wonder why Behrendorff isn't raised in the AAP and CA articles. He's been arguably the form Shield bowler over the last two seasons (including a 10WI so far this season), was arguably the best in the ODD cup, and has a better first class average...
Shortfineleg
Guest
There is something about Cummins! Hurries the bats. A thinking bowler. Bowls a fast ball and a heavy ball. Quality. Just give him time.
jammel
Guest
Well said twodogs. Cummins looks great. I can't remember the last time a prospect excited me as much as Cummins! He shouldn't be picked in Brisbane, but I could easily see Cummins playing in the Ashes. He has the potential to be an absolute match-winner. Just think about it - watching the first Test in the Ashes, Australia having made 480 in the first innings, and then an attack of Johnson, Cummins and Harris to look forward to! :)
jammel
Guest
I agree Ronan. Starc will play. I'd play Johnson, Harris and Starc. There's Mitch Marsh to keep things tight too, so sadly I think Siddle's position is under threat. But I don't think Hazlewood will be the one taking it… Siddle lacks some of his previous penetration - underscored by the fact that his Test average has slipped out to be >30 now.
Larney
Guest
Yep
twodogs
Guest
Go with you on that one RO'C. JH is developing well and is not far off but Starc should edge him out. Bet they'd love to put Cummins in, he looks very fit. I replayed some of his overs tonite and man, he has a lightning fast arm action. It brought back memories of the greatest ever (imo) Malcolm Marshall. Given some assistance from the cricketer health gods PC will likely be a revelation.
Shortfineleg
Guest
Agree. Australia has an embarrassment of fast bowler riches. Starc deserves to be next.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Hazlewood is a promising bowler but if Starc gets dropped after one Test yet again for Hazlewood it will be an absolute joke.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Come on Craig...Watson has scored one ton every six first-class games versus one every eight games for Ferguson.
Silver Sovereign
Roar Rookie
I am liking his improving pace and consistent line, but I think he has only 1 5for in First class and his pace doesn't hold up in longer spells. I don't know if he is ready for it. Although Siddle's pace and penetration is way down, so maybe Josh is ok for it. I think people are underestimating the Indians. Who knows what kind of form they will bring to Australia with a team full of many who haven't played tests here. And with the Aussies' up and down form, who knows how good they will be
Craig Watson
Guest
Craig Watson
Guest
Agreed. Hazlewood is something pretty special.
Craig Watson
Guest
Exactly James. Watto is a good player but will never be a great. Fails in the most important detail of a good top order play and that is the ability to apply enough mental toughness to build a long and hopefully, match-winning innings. His lack of tons is testimony to that. Just a mere 4 in 52 tests and 22 fifties plus 20 and 48 in FC. Whereas Ferguson is able to do that having scored 11 FC tons and 31 fifties from far less games than Watson.
jameswm
Guest
Agreed. Suicide? How could anyone say confidently that Watson is likely to score more runs at 3 than Ferguson?
Craig Watson
Guest
Hazlewood for Siddle...most definitely. Problem is Siddle is a selector's pet...why.. I do not know. Yes he has a big heart, can hold up an end and is economical. No different to twenty blokes in shield cricket at the present time. "Ryno" Harris has all the Siddle attributes but for one distinct difference...he has quality. Hazlewood on the other hand, can have the ball wizzing around the gills one second, moving alarmingly off the pitch on another, or he can keep it tight if the situation warrants it. In short he has bucket loads of quality.
Craig Watson
Guest
Why would Ferguson in for Watson be suicide? Not that I am saying Watson should be dropped. I believe Ferguson has earned a 'Baggy Green' after two solid shield seasons.