Youngster Awaits Opportunity But Admits Australia Is A 'Hard Team To Crack Into'
Aaron Hardie aims to secure a spot in the playing eleven despite limited opportunities. He has impressed with his bowling in T20Is, often taking the new ball.
Australia's fast-bowling all-rounder Aaron Hardie is determined to seize any opportunity to break into the playing eleven, acknowledging that it is 'hard to crack into."
Hardie, 26, has been included in every Australian limited-overs squad in 2025, covering bilateral series in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean, the Champions Trophy, and as a late addition to the ongoing T20I series against South Africa.
However, Hardie has played in only four of Australia's 12 white-ball matches this year. His limited on-field action extended to IPL 2025, where he spent two months on the bench for the Punjab Kings without playing a game.
What Did Aaron Hardie Say?
'A lot of people when they've come into the Aussie team have had that experience. I know Josh Inglis was very similar in his first few years of touring. It's such a hard team to crack into. I'll be trying to take my opportunity when it comes," Hardie was quoted as saying to reporters on Friday.
When given the chance, Hardie has impressed with the ball, often taking the new ball in T20Is — a role not typically associated with his domestic reputation as a batting all-rounder. 'I love bowling off the top. As the allrounder, it's good to get those overs out of the way early and support the guys with a few more skills throughout the middle overs. When the ball is swinging, it's good with two fielders out — but when it stops swinging, it's not as fun," he added.
Slowly but surely, the Western Australian is beginning to establish his own place in the white-ball teams whenever he is selected in the XI.
Surprisingly, for someone who initially gained recognition as a batting all-rounder on the domestic scene, Hardie has opened the bowling in eight of the 12 T20I innings he has bowled in.
Although his batting is yet to be proven at the international level — he has only batted higher than No.7 once in the past 12 months — his ability as an out-swing bowler with the new ball has become a significant part of his appeal.
While his batting remains largely untested at the international level, Hardie believes he is ready to do whatever the team requires. 'I pride myself on being able to fill any hole possible, whether that's up the order or in the middle, and bowl any overs from one to 20 in the T20 format," he concluded.
(With inputs from IANS)
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