Josh Hazlewood will this week become the youngest fast bowler ever to play for New South Wales, having been chosen for his first-class debut against the touring New Zealanders. Hazlewood, 17, has been picked for the four-day match that starts in Sydney on Thursday and he is part of one of the most youthful squads New South Wales have ever chosen.
A 200-centimetre right-arm bowler, Hazlewood is so highly rated by New South Wales that he already holds a full contract with the state. However, the Blues had decided against picking him until his year 12 demands were complete and they kept to their policy - just. Soon after finishing his final exam in geography on Friday, Hazlewood was told he would be bowling for his state within a week.
"I was surprised and didn't even know New South Wales were playing New Zealand," Hazlewood told the Daily Telegraph. "I thought they were tied up with the domestic scene. I think it will be a good game to get started in. There won't be as much pressure given it's a tour game."
He has been likened to his childhood hero Glenn McGrath who, like Hazlewood, was raised in rural New South Wales. Hazlewood is from the small town of Bendemeer, a 40-minute drive from Tamworth. His selection gives the Blues a remarkably young line-up for the tour game - Steven Smith and Phillip Hughes are both 19 and another four players are aged 22 or under.
David Gilbert, the chief executive of Cricket New South Wales, said the 12-man squad highlighted the state's promising stocks. "New South Wales has a proud history of producing quality young players," Gilbert said.
"We are delighted that the game against New Zealand offers our youngsters the chance to compete against international opposition. We have been greatly impressed with the development of Josh Hazlewood and it will be exciting to see him make his first-class debut at the Sydney Cricket Ground this week."
New South Wales squad Phillip Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Peter Forrest, Steven Smith, Dominic Thornely (capt), Moises Henriques, Daniel Smith (wk), Grant Lambert, Beau Casson, Nathan Hauritz, Burt Cockley, Josh Hazlewood.
© Cricinfo
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