BENDEMEER native Josh Hazlewood believes he is feeling "better than ever" ahead of the upcoming season of international cricket.
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Affectionately known as the Bendemeer Bullet, Hazlewood is expected to line up in Australia's first Test side against Pakistan in Brisbane on Thursday.
During his preparation for the upcoming summer of cricket, Hazlewood visited his hometown during the Regional Bash T20 competition.
"The preparation has been going really well," Hazlewood told the Leader.
"I've got my first few domestic games under my belt and felt really good with my own game.
"I think it's shaping up well, there's been some good competition for the batting spots and even some competition for the bowling spots.
"It's going to be a big summer".
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Since returning to Australia after a successful Ashes campaign, Hazlewood has played three games for NSW, including new career-best first-class bowling figures of 6-35.
Despite taking 18 wickets in four Tests during the Ashes series in England, Hazlewood said Australian conditions would provide "completely different challenges".
"I think a lot changes when you go from playing in England to playing here in Australia," he said.
"The weather changes, the conditions change, the ball changes.
"Retaining the Ashes in England is an achievement that ranks as one of my best, seeing as it was the first time we have retained the Ashes in England in 18 years.
"But Aussie wickets are pretty flat in comparison to English ones, so you know you're going to have to work hard for your 20 wickets every time in Australia.
"Hopefully the greenskeepers can help us out and leave a bit of grass on the wicket."
Australia will play two Tests against Pakistan in Brisbane and Adelaide before taking on New Zealand in three Tests in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.
"Obviously we have the Gabba Test first up and as a team we love playing there," Hazlewood said.
"We know the conditions inside and out, we have a good record there and for us it's the perfect place to start."
Play starts at 11am AEDST.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
