Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood Return to Training, in Line for World Cup Berth 1
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Peter Siddle, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood of Australia sing the national anthem during day one of the second Test match between Australia and New Zealand at WACA on November 13, 2015 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse - CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images)

World Champions Australia will be a relieved unit after their pace spearheads Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc resumed training this week. In all likelihood they will be part of the Australian squad for the 2019 World Cup which is slated to be played in England and Wales from 30th May this year. The fitness of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc were areas of concern for the Aussies. However, they will be bolstered with the return of these two tall fast bowlers.

Josh Hazlewood has been out of international action since January after sustaining a back injury. Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc pulled out of the tour of India last month after sustaining a muscle tear. The return of the pace duo has come at the correct time especially after Jhye Richardson returned home this week after dislocating his shoulder during the ODI series against Pakistan.

“When the squad gets announced I’ll probably be 65-70 per cent and I’ve still got a good four or five weeks from that date to get ready to play one-day cricket,” Hazlewood said in a Cricket Australia podcast.

Josh Hazlewood, Australia, 2019 World Cup
Hazlewood has heralded a change in Australian set-up with the ball. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in line for 2019 World Cup

The Australian selectors will announce the World Cup-bound squad on 23rd April. The tournament will start from 30th May. The team will leave for England before a training camp in Brisbane in early May. They are also expected to play a few warm-up games against New Zealand before leaving for the World Cup.

 “I don’t think I’ll be fit for those but the one-day warm-up games in England I think I’ll be right,” said Hazlewood.

Mitchell Starc will be a vital player for Australia in the World Cup. In 2015, he was the leading wicket-taker of the tournament and also bagged the Man of the Tournament Award. He sustained the injury during the 2nd Test against Sri Lanka early February.

Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood Return to Training, in Line for World Cup Berth 2
Mitchell Starc (Credits: Getty)

 “He (Starc) looks fine, he started bowling as well this week,” Hazlewood said. He’s coming off not as big a break as me so won’t take him long to get up and running. He seems to be heading in the right direction.”

Several Australian players have backed out of playing the 12th edition of IPL as they have given their focus on the 2019 World Cup as they hope to retain their coveted title. After winning the away ODI series against India, Australia will be roaring with confidence and it won’t be a surprise if they go on to win their 6th title.

Arya Chakraborty

A Cricket Freak and a Music Lover. Hearing the name of Sachin Tendulkar still gives him goosebumps and listening to Arjit Singh songs keeps him in the right space. Loves Revolving his life around cricket...