Josh Hazlewood: Pressure is off Australia as rebuild commences

AUSTRALIA might be fighting to ward off a record losing streak, but Josh Hazlewood says the pressure-valve has been released by this week’s selection clean-out.

New faces Nic Maddinson and Matt Renshaw took part in their first training session on Monday at Adelaide Oval, as fast bowling spearheads Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc got their hands back on the pink ball.

If Australia is whitewashed in this series it will make it six defeats on the trot and one more would make it the longest losing streak since the 19th century.

Hazlewood admits it’s bizarre to now be one of the senior men in a completely revamped XI, but he is adamant the team now feels relieved of burden.

“There’s obviously pressure. There always is, playing for Australia,” he said.

“I think with such a young group, it is exciting. We get to build something together. I think there is not as much pressure because it’s everyone’s first game.

“We need to start from a point moving forward and hopefully this group gets an opportunity to do that, not only in one game but over a period of time. It’s very exciting and I’m looking forward to starting the game.”

Selectors are giving no guarantees that this squad will be given any longer than one Test match to gel, but when it comes to the fast bowling attack, Hazlewood says it’s essential combinations are given a chance to settle.

Hazlewood says the constant changes make it difficult to adjust and called for newcomers Jackson Bird and Chadd Sayers to be shown some faith.

“I guess it does, a little bit. That’s going to happen from time to time,” he said.

“It’s obviously been Mitch (Starc), myself and Nathan (Lyon) there for all the Test matches and the new guys coming in has been different every time.”

Hazlewood says it’s a new era for Australian cricket.

“Absolutely. We’ve talked about that over the last couple of days and it’s exciting,” he said.

“We get to build and it’s a new era. They’ll be quite nervous coming into the game but it’s up to us senior guys to help them.

“It’s a good feeling amongst the group at the moment.”