Quicks plot victory path against unknown Zimbabwe

Paceman Josh Hazlewood expects a confident Zimbabwe side to test Australia when the first of three ODIs gets underway on Sunday in Townsville.

Vice-captain alongside wicketkeeper Alex Carey, the 31-year-old from Bendemeer is eager for his charges to put on a strong display for the locals when they play their first home one-dayer in almost two years and first ever in the garrison city.

After spending time at home with his family following a tour of Sri Lanka, Hazlewood said the hosts had identified Zimbabwe's dangermen and will start analysing their bowling plans.

Allrounder Sikandar Raza is in fine form after recording three centuries in his past six ODIs, two against Bangladesh and one against India earlier this month.

And opener Innocent Kaia and allrounder Sean Williams have also impressed with the bat recently. 

Hazlewood said he had noticed Raza's remarkable numbers in his recent games but is yet to see footage of his batting prowess.

"We'll sit down as bowlers and have a look as we always do," he told reporters on Thursday. 

"The teams we don't play often we'll have a more in-depth look and go through some numbers and come up with some plans. So we'll do that the next few days. 

"We usually just get together and have a chat. You know, go through some numbers with our analysts there and anyone who's really seen them whether it's IPL, county cricket, different things.

"The guys we don't come up against often we'll have a bit more in-depth look."

Hazlewood says it's great to bring international cricket to regional cities and markets that don't regularly get exposure.

"It's huge. Even watching the NRL lately the games that have gone to regional areas, the crowds have been fantastic," he said.

"Being from a country town, you obviously don't get much high-quality sport - internationally especially.

"So to be here in these parts of the world hopefully we get some good crowds over the next few weeks here and in Cairns, and we're looking forward to it.

Image Id: C7AC694474CF4C52A6772A3810E00FB4 Image Caption: Hazlewood letting rip during practice in the middle of Riverway Stadium on Wednesday // cricket.com.au

The inaugural BBL Draft will follow the first ODI and the fast bowler who has become a pivotal weapon in Australia's T20 World Cup defence said he was keeping his options open about a return to the competition this summer.

Hazlewood has been Australia's best T20 bowler since he returned to the side in September 2020, with his 38 wickets in that period the best in green and gold, and his signature would be another massive coup for the league.

But even with a gap in the international calendar in January following the cancellation of the South African ODI series, the fast bowler hinted he may opt to rest instead of suiting up.  

Australia have nine home ODIs, five home T20s, three T20s in India, five Tests and a home T20 World Cup in the calendar before that gap in January rolls around. 

"I'm not too sure, to be honest," Hazlewood told reporters on Thursday when asked if he would be featuring in the BBL.   

"You don't want to lock yourself in for something if you're not quite ready at that time.  

"There's a lot of cricket coming up before then, a lot of Test matches as well.  

"So physically, I'll probably have a rest of that stage. (But) if you miss a little week or two through injury, then (that break) opens the door for (a BBL stint). Never say never."

Hazlewood, who was a key member of Australia's breakthrough T20 World Cup victory last November, credited the BBL as the catalyst to his reformation in the shortest format.  

After Hazlewood's 2019-20 Test summer was cut short with a hamstring injury, he decided to turn to the Sixers as he returned to the game.  

He played five matches that season including the Sixers' win in the rain-affected final against the Melbourne Stars.  

"In the last two years, I've played more white ball than red ball for various reasons," Hazlewood said. 

"I made a conscious effort maybe three years ago to go down the T20 path and make myself available for the Big Bash.  

"And then that sort of evolved me into different things. And it just snowballed from there."

Men's Dettol ODI Series v Zimbabwe

Sunday Aug 28: Riverway Stadium, Townsville, 9:40am

Wednesday Aug 31: Riverway Stadium, Townsville, 9:40am

Saturday Sep 3: Riverway Stadium, Townsville, 9:40am

Australia squad: Aaron Finch, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

Zimbabwe squad: Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva (c), Bradley Evans, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaia, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams.

Buy #AUSvZIM tickets here