IPL 8: Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood pulls out of tournament; wants to focus on upcoming Ashes series

Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has pulled out of the ongoing Indian Premier League season in order to stay fit and fresh for the forthcoming Test tour of the Caribbean in early June and the subsequent Ashes series in England.

Confirming the news, Cricket Australia stated that the right-arm fast bowler will not turn out for the Mumbai Indians over the next seven weeks. Hazlewood played an instrumental role in Australia's victorious World Cup team, claiming seven wickets in five games at an average of 25.

Reflecting on the decision, CA general manager Pat Howard said that Hazlewood's workload has changed significantly since he first began attending the IPL, Stuff.co.nz reported. Howard insisted that the IPL is the players leave period, adding that in Hazlewood's case it was deemed that not playing was the best use of that time in the lead up to a busy winter.