Hazlewood ready to stake WT20 claim

Josh Hazlewood feels he is no automatic selection in Australia's best XI for the World T20 as the battle for spots intensifies this week.

Australia suffered a fifth straight T20 loss in Durban, meaning defeat in the Johannesburg clash that starts at 11.30pm AEDT on Sunday would make it their worst ever streak in the format.

The lack of wins is a worrying sign, with two more matches against South Africa and a warm-up game against the West Indies to come before Australia's World T20 opener, against New Zealand on March 18 in the northern Indian town of Dharamsala.

There's been plenty of experimentation from national selectors but Australia's first-choice side is unclear.

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The logjam at the top order, which resulted in David Warner stepping down to first drop in Durban, has been well publicised.

But there is also fierce competition among the bowlers and allrounders.

"It's quite open for the entire team really," Hazlewood told AAP.

"But the quicks especially. Some of the guys have played a lot of T20 and some haven't."

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Hazlewood is part of the latter.

It's been more than two years since he has rolled the arm over in a T20 at any level.

"There will be a little bit of rust. Just bowling in the nets to the guys in Durban, they come pretty hard at you," the 25-year-old said.

"It was a bit of an eye opener and a good reminder of how tough T20 is as a bowler."

Hazlewood sat out the three-wicket loss to the Proteas but is expected to play in Johannesburg and Cape Town before the 15-man squad flies out to India on Thursday.

"I'm obviously coming off a pretty heavy couple of weeks in New Zealand and a couple of flights. If I was going to miss one then it probably makes sense for it to be the first," the Test spearhead said.

"This series is a really good opportunity to put your hand up and really stake a claim for the World Cup."

Hazlewood's workloads worried team management throughout summer but he was rested for the majority of January.

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The right-armer, whose career stalled after an international debut at age 19 because of a series of injury setbacks, feels ready to juggle all three formats.

"I am pretty confident after the last two years. Touch wood," he said.

"I haven't played a T20 in a long time. I'm pretty excited.

"Everything happens so fast. It's a different challenge, definitely a big challenge, and I can't wait."