Josh Hazlewood: England don't know how to beat Australia

Josh Hazlewood

Australian pacemen Josh Hazlewood believes that that the Aussies have an edge over Ashes rivals England and is hopeful of beating them in their first World Cup game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on February 14.

"We've been pretty good in one-day series against whoever we've played here. So to have England again in the first game, hopefully we can get off to a flyer and beat them to get our competition underway,” Hazlewood said.

"I don't think they quite know how to beat us yet, especially in Australia. We've obviously proved that over the last few years and especially in this series again, beating them a few times. So they'll be scratching their heads I guess of how to get on top of us in this first game."

Hazlewood happy with start to international career

The 24-year-old, who made his Test debut against India in Brisbane in December, also seems excited by the prospect of opening the bowling attack in the mega event. He also added that it would be a dream come true for him to represent his country at the quadrennial event.

"It's obviously been a breakthrough summer for me in all formats pretty much so I'm happy to keep it going and keep bowling well. I've been working hard for the past few years and it was always a dream; everyone was looking at the World Cup, no matter where you were in Australian cricket.

"So to be part of it now and hopefully grab that new ball for Australia in the World Cup is pretty exciting. I'm quite confident now that I can do a job for Australia up front with the new ball.

"There's always a slight breeze wherever you're playing, which suits the right-hander from one end and the left-hander from the other. So it depends which Mitch opens, I'm sure whoever opens will do a great job and I'm excited to hopefully get the new ball on a few occasions and keep doing what I've been doing,” the right-arm pacer said.

Hazlewood: Chances of rotation slim

Hazlewood also hinted that Australia will look to go in with a fixed set of 11 players for most games and chances of them following a rotation policy as far as fast bowlers are concerned are slim. He further said that Shane Watson is on the road to recovery as far his hamstring injury is concerned.

“I think we'll stick with the same XI throughout most of the World Cup – with the games being a week apart there's no reason to rest fast bowlers so it should be all systems go.

"Shane (Watson) is getting pretty close. He had a little bowl the other day off a short run, so he's looking good, he's got a couple more days now to get what he needs and I'm sure he'll be right to go.

"I think that was a good indication the other night of what the XI is going to be, obviously apart from little injuries here and there,” he said.