<p>Australia paceman Josh Hazlewood has decided to opt out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and rest up for a crowded schedule of international cricket culminating with the Ashes at the end of the year.</p>.<p>The 30-year-old fast bowler was scheduled to play a second season for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, which is being played across six venues, initially without spectators, from April 9 to May 30.</p>.<p>"It's been a long 10 months in bubbles and quarantine at different times, so I decided to have a rest from cricket and spend some time at home and in Australia in the next two months," Hazlewood told <em>cricket.com.au</em>.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read |<a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/cricket/ipl/mumbai-indians-could-win-the-ipl-for-a-sixth-time-968627.html" target="_blank"> Mumbai Indians could win the IPL for a sixth time</a></strong></p>.<p>"We've got a big winter ahead too. The West Indies is going to be a long tour, with Bangladesh (T20I tour) potentially thrown on the end of that.</p>.<p>"Then potentially the T20 World Cup leading into the Ashes, so it's a big 12 months ... and I want to give myself the best chance to be mentally and physically ready for that.</p>.<p>"That's the decision I've made and it sits pretty well with me."</p>.<p>Hazlewood's international teammates - wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Philippe and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh - have also pulled out of this year's IPL, both citing personal reasons for their decisions.</p>.<p>Australia are scheduled to play three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 International matches in the West Indies in June and July before heading to Bangladesh in October for three warm-up matches ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup in India.</p>.<p>Afghanistan will play a one-off Test in Australia, postponed from last year, in November before the five-Test Ashes series against England around the New Year.</p>
<p>Australia paceman Josh Hazlewood has decided to opt out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and rest up for a crowded schedule of international cricket culminating with the Ashes at the end of the year.</p>.<p>The 30-year-old fast bowler was scheduled to play a second season for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, which is being played across six venues, initially without spectators, from April 9 to May 30.</p>.<p>"It's been a long 10 months in bubbles and quarantine at different times, so I decided to have a rest from cricket and spend some time at home and in Australia in the next two months," Hazlewood told <em>cricket.com.au</em>.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read |<a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/cricket/ipl/mumbai-indians-could-win-the-ipl-for-a-sixth-time-968627.html" target="_blank"> Mumbai Indians could win the IPL for a sixth time</a></strong></p>.<p>"We've got a big winter ahead too. The West Indies is going to be a long tour, with Bangladesh (T20I tour) potentially thrown on the end of that.</p>.<p>"Then potentially the T20 World Cup leading into the Ashes, so it's a big 12 months ... and I want to give myself the best chance to be mentally and physically ready for that.</p>.<p>"That's the decision I've made and it sits pretty well with me."</p>.<p>Hazlewood's international teammates - wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Philippe and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh - have also pulled out of this year's IPL, both citing personal reasons for their decisions.</p>.<p>Australia are scheduled to play three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 International matches in the West Indies in June and July before heading to Bangladesh in October for three warm-up matches ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup in India.</p>.<p>Afghanistan will play a one-off Test in Australia, postponed from last year, in November before the five-Test Ashes series against England around the New Year.</p>