It’s a mark of the man really: Pat Cummins on Josh Hazlewood’s selfless gesture for the team

Josh Hazlewood has been a reckoning force in the Australian echelons, leading the hallowed triptych which also features the likes of Australian skipper, Pat Cummins and former RCB quick, Mitchell Starc.

However, ahead of Australia’s second Test against South Africa, the former chose to go forward with Victorian hero Scott Boland ahead of Josh Hazlewood. The RCB pacer was ruled out of the opening Test after a minor side strain and with him set to return for the second contest, Boland was the likeliest name to be sacrificed.

The RCB ace quick, however, made it clear that he was not fully fit and didn’t want to take away the place from a well-performing Scott Boland. Australian captain, Pat Cummins opened up on this gesture of Hazlewood and heaped praises on this leadership mentality.

Cummins said, “We gave Joshy (Hazlewood) every chance, but it just got to a stage where (he) more than anyone else felt like he was a little bit underdone. It‘s a mark of the man really, he himself said, ‘Don’t feel quite right’ so he kind of pulled himself out of selection.”

The Australian skipper further added, “We talk a lot about how (as) a team we need a squad mentality and I think it‘s another great example.”

With 217 Test wickets from 58 matches, Josh Hazlewood is a reckoning force in the illustrious ranks of Australia and he also showcased his phenomenal transition to emerge as one of the top guns in the shorter format of the game, bringing his energy from a couple of successful T20I tours for Australia to the simmering ranks of RCB.