(Reuters) – Australian regulator Josh Hazlewood has decided to opt out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and rest for a packed schedule of international cricket ending with Ashes at the end of the year.
The 30-year-old fast bowler was due to play a second season for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, which is played across six venues, initially without spectators, from April 9-May 30.
“It’s been a long 10 months in bubbles and quarantine at different times, so I decided to have a rest from cricket and spend some time at home and in Australia over the next two months,” Hazlewood told cricket.com.au.
“We also have a great winter ahead. West Indies is going to be a long journey, with Bangladesh (T20 tour) possibly thrown at the end of that.
“Then possibly the T20 World Cup leading into Ashes, so it’s a big 12 months … and I want to give myself the best chance to be mentally and physically ready for that .
“That’s the decision I’ve made, and it sits pretty well with me.”
Friends of Hazlewood’s international team, wicket-keeper Josh Philippe and Mitchell-rounder Mitchell have also pulled out of IPL this year, both citing personal reasons for their decisions.
Australia is expected to play three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches in the West Indies in June and July before heading to Bangladesh in October for three warm-up matches ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup in India.
Afghanistan will play a one-off test in Australia, postponed from last year, in November ahead of the Ashes’ five-Test series against England around the New Year.