Ahead of the much-anticipated Ashes Test series, Australia`s pacer Josh Hazlewood dismissed concerns over the side`s ageing bowling attack.
He said that there will be a time when the team will become old, but the pacer feels that the time has not come yet.
“I think the experience, not just through red-ball cricket, through all the formats, you put all the pieces together. You`ve been in so many situations now out in the middle that you`ve learned a lot over the years, not just as an individual but as a group. We bounce off each other out there and know each other`s game so well and help each other out there,” Hazlewood said as quoted by `Australian Associated Press` (AAP).
“There`ll come a time no doubt (when the team is too old), but I don`t think it`s yet. We`ve been together a long time, taken a heap of wickets, but the times off the field as well have been so great. We know each other so well, so we can pull each other up from time to time when the rhythm`s not quite there,” added the 34-year-old pacer.
Australia`s bowling lineup will have the likes of Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood, Scott Boland and skipper Pat Cummins.
The skipper will miss out on the first Test as he is still recovering from his injury. In his absence, veteran batsman Steve Smith will be leading the pack in the series opener.
Hazlewood also expressed confidence by saying that he has been in the best shape and his numbers suggest that.
“I feel in the best shape I`ve been in a long time. Over the last four of five years, I`ve had a lot of confidence. My numbers suggest that. Just staying on the park, probably since COVID (pandemic), has been hard,” he said.
Australia captain Pat Cummins remains on track to play the second Ashes Test, as the pacer bowled at full intensity in the nets on Saturday.
He had been bowling off a shortened run-up earlier this week, but on Saturday bowled at full pace in the nets in Sydney.
The first Ashes Test between Australia and England is scheduled to be played at the Optus Stadium in Perth from November 21.
(With PTI Inputs)