Is It Really Difficult to Join the Australian Team? Insights from Hardie

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Hardie's determination to break into the team is commendable.
- He has been included in several important squads this year.
- His bowling skills are a significant asset, especially in T20s.
- He is ready to adapt and fill any role required.
- Experience and competition are key themes in his journey.
Cairns, Aug 15 (NationPress) Aaron Hardie, the fast-bowling all-rounder from Australia, is resolute in his intention to seize any opportunities that arise to secure a spot in the playing eleven, acknowledging the challenges of breaking into the team.
At 26 years old, Hardie has been included in every Australian limited-overs squad in 2025, which encompasses bilateral series in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean, the Champions Trophy, and a late addition to the current T20I series against South Africa.
However, he has participated in only four of Australia’s twelve white-ball matches this year. His on-field experience was similarly limited during IPL 2025, where he remained on the bench for two months with the Punjab Kings without any game time.
“Many players, including Josh Inglis, have encountered similar situations upon entering the Aussie team. It’s an incredibly tough team to break into. I’ll be ready to capitalize on my chance when it presents itself,” Hardie shared with reporters on Friday.
When given the opportunity, Hardie has showcased his bowling skills, frequently taking the new ball in T20Is—an unexpected role given his domestic standing as a batting all-rounder. “I enjoy bowling at the start. As an all-rounder, it’s beneficial to get those overs out of the way early, thereby supporting my teammates with additional skills during the middle overs. Bowling is enjoyable when the ball swings; however, it becomes less exciting when it doesn’t,” he explained.
Although his batting abilities have yet to be fully tested at the international level, Hardie is confident in his versatility to meet the team’s needs. “I take pride in my capability to fill any role, whether that’s batting higher up or in the middle order, and I’m ready to bowl any overs from one to twenty in T20s,” he concluded.