Josh Hazlewood third Australian player to pull out of IPL 2021

Fast bowler aims to be fresh for hectic season which includes Ashes at end of the year

Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood will not feature for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021. Sportzpics for BCCI

Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has decided to pull out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to get adequate rest in a hectic season that culminates with the Ashes at the end of the year.

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 in India, initially without spectators, from April 9-May 30.

"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 cricket.com.au.

"We've got a big winter ahead too. The West Indies is going to be a long tour, with Bangladesh [T20 tour] potentially thrown on the end of that.

"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.

"That's the decision I've made, and it sits pretty well with me."

Hazlewood's international team mates, 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.

Australia are scheduled to play three ODIs and three Twenty20 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.

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IPL 2021 top earners

Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bangalore). IPL salary: 170 million rupees ($2.4m). Sportzpics for BCCI

Chris Morris (Rajasthan Royals). IPL salary: 162.5m rupees ($2.2m). Sportzpics for BCCI

Pat Cummins (Kolkata Knight Riders). IPL salary: 155m rupees ($2.1m). Sportzpics for BCCI

MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings). IPL salary: 150m rupees ($2.06m). AFP

Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians). IPL salary: 150m rupees ($2.06m). Sportzpics for BCCI

Rishabh Pant (Delhi Capitals). IPL salary: 150m rupees ($2.06m). AFP

Kyle Jamieson (Royal Challengers Bangalore). IPL salary: 150m rupees ($2.06m). Getty

Glenn Maxwell (Royal Challengers Bangalore). IPL salary: 142.5m rupees ($1.96m). AFP

Jhye Richardson (Punjab Kings). IPL salary: 140m rupees ($1.92m). Getty

David Warner (Sunrisers Hyderabad). IPL salary: 125m rupees ($1.72m). AFP