NSW pacer Hazlewood raring to fire in India with an eye on the Ashes

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SYDNEY - New South Wales pacer Josh Hazlewood is thrilled over the prospect of going on tour with Australia to India.

At 19, Hazlewood, cannot help but think that this latest step in his career could deliver an Ashes Test berth later this year.

“I hadn’t thought too far ahead, but I’m definitely thinking about the Ashes now I’m in the Test squad. Obviously there’s quicks coming back, but if I get a chance I’ll put my name forward,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.

Hazlewood and Peter George, 23, represent the new dawn of Australia’s pace attack, picked as back-ups for Doug Bollinger, Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus, who makes a long-awaited return from knee injury.

Peter Siddle remains in cotton wool, but is likely to be named for the one-day leg of the Indian tour, from late this month to October 24.

The fact all four incumbents are closer to 30 than 20 has not been lost on Hazlewood, who can see the beginnings of a long partnership with George leading the Australian Test attack.

“A lot of the other quicks are getting on, so definitely Georgie and I are the younger group coming through with a couple of the other guys [at NSW] as well, you do get the sense it could be not too far away,” said Hazlewood, who made his international one-day debut in June against England, taking 1-41 from seven overs.

Is he ready for a shiny new ball in one of the most hostile, pace-unfriendly regions of world cricket? “I think so, I don’t think you know until you’re in that position but taking the new ball in Shield cricket is just one step below,” he said.

“I had not too bad a season last year, playing five games, so there’s a lot of experience there. Hopefully if given a chance, I feel ready. I was very excited, a little bit shocked, but it was in the back of my mind … I’ve got my full mind on it now. I haven’t been to India, believe it or not I’ve been to Pakistan and played a few games there with the under-19s, India will be a first for me,” he added.

Also making the squad is Phillip Hughes after recovering from a shoulder injury. Hughes is the back-up batsman, replacing Usman Khawaja, while the return of Nathan Hauritz and the retention of Steve Smith put Stephen O’Keefe out of the squad that recently returned from England.

Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin is aiming to return for the one-dayers in India or at home against Sri Lanka in November, with Tim Paine retaining the wicket keeping duties.

“All these exciting young players have the potential to have a big impact in international cricket for many years and the [selectors are] confident they will all equip themselves well,” said selection chairman Andrew Hilditch.

Australian squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Peter George, Nathan Hauritz, Josh Hazlewood, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phillip Hughes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Marcus North, Tim Paine, Steven Smith, Shane Watson. (ANI)