A group of Australian punters will strike it rich today when Josh Hazlewood walks on to the Gabba to play his first Test match for Australia.
Almost nine years ago they backed the then teenage fast bowler from Bendemeer, NSW, at odds of $500-1 to play Test cricket for Australia before his 30th birthday.
Hazlewood, 23, will do it with more than six years to spare when he is presented with his first baggy green cap today.
The Daily Telegraph reported that each punter had a $100 bet on Hazelewood and they stand to each collect $50,000 from British bookmakers in an extraordinary bet, which was last night confirmed by Hazlewood's proud Dad Trevor.
Trevor would not reveal the identity of the mystery punters but they are believed to be locals from Tamworth, near Bendemeer, who were sure they had spotted a future Australian fast bowler in the making.
