'He has thrown his hand in the mix' - Gilchrist reckons Josh Hazlewood deserves place in T20 WC team after impressive IPL 2021

Former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist feels that pacer Josh Hazlewood has ensured a spot in the Australian playing XI for the T20 World Cup, scheduled to be played from October 17 in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Gilchrist reckoned that it will be interesting to see how the management fits him in, while also highlighting the sensational form of Glenn Maxwell, who set alight the recently-concluded Indian Premier League.

Much like Maxwell, Hazlewood left an impact with his performances throughout the UAE leg, where he regrouped with Chennai Super Kings after having given the Indian leg of the tournament a miss citing bubble fatigue. Hazlewood scalped 11 wickets in nine games at an average of 29.75 and an economy rate of 8.37, which included his crucial 2/29 spell in the final against KKR that helped CSK to their fourth IPL title.

“Hazlewood is the one who has thrown his hand in the mix now to get a game. How they fit him in there and who they leave out is going to be interesting to see which way they go because it seems like the spinners need to be of paramount importance too,” Gilchrist was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

Glenn Maxwell takes the game away from the opposition: Adam Gilchrist

Speaking about Maxwell, who enjoyed a staggering run of form in both legs of IPL, amassing 513 runs in 15 fixtures at 42.75 and a strike rate of 144.10, Gilchrist said: “He’s got a huge role to play. Whenever Glenn Maxwell delivers it’s typically in a successful team pursuit. He’s such an exciting player that when he does well it’s usually in a manner that totally demoralises the opposition and takes the game away from them.

“But what we’ve all learnt too with a player of that type, you’re going to have some days where he misses out. I hope we don’t overburden him with expectation. I don’t think it’s a case of if he fails Australia is out. There’s plenty of good batting talent around him,” he added.

Australia are grouped with England, South Africa, West Indies and two qualifiers and will start their campaign against South Africa on October 23 in Abu Dhabi.

Australia’s squad for T20 World Cup 2021

Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins (vc), Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa. Travelling reserves: Dan Christian, Nathan Ellis, Daniel Sams