Josh Hazlewood starts to dream big

Josh Hazlewood, the 19-year-old fast bowler, is in a position to hope for an Ashes Test after being picked in Australia's squad to face India next month. While Hazlewood and Peter George are the young, uncapped quicks in the unit, they are growing in status and will be ready to stand up if one of the main men breaks down over the next four months.

"I hadn't thought too far ahead but definitely [I'm thinking about the Ashes] now I'm in the Test squad," Hazlewood said in the Sydney Morning Herald. "Obviously there's quicks coming back but if I get a chance I'll put my name forward."

Mitchell Johnson will lead the attack in the two Tests in India and the first-choice support will be Doug Bollinger and Ben Hilfenhaus, who came back from a knee injury against Pakistan. Peter Siddle (back) and Ryan Harris (knee) are close to returning and could figure in the one-day series after the games in Mohali and Bangalore.

"A lot of the other quicks are getting on, so definitely Georgie and I are the younger group coming through with a couple of the other guys," Hazlewood said. "You do get the sense it could be not too far away."

Things have happened quickly for Hazlewood over the past two years and he is so fresh he has only played six first-class matches. It did not stop him from being picked on the limited-overs tour of the United Kingdom during the winter and he collected 1 for 41 on debut against England. He has never been to India but hopes he will be comfortable bowling on the unfriendly surfaces.

"I don't think you know until you're in that position but taking the new ball in Sheffield Shield cricket is just one step below,'' he said. ''I had not too bad a season last year, playing five games, so there's a lot of experience there. Hopefully if given a chance, I feel ready."