Australia must tire out Jasprit Bumrah, batsmen must deliver: Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood was on the field when India achieved the near impossible two years ago – won a first Test series in Australia. Part of the pace attack that will again be tasked to make amends for the 2-1 loss in 2018-19, the 29-year-old feels familiarity with the Indian batting line-up will make the job a bit easier this time.
Hazlewood took 13 wickets in that four-Test series, forming a strong bowling unit with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and off-spinner Nathan Lyon. Virat Kohli’s team still hurt them. The return of Steve Smith and David Warner, and the rise of Marnus Labuschagne, makes Australia the favourites this time.
“They won last time, and we don’t lose too many series in Australia,” Hazlewood said in an interview on Wednesday. “That certainly hurt at the time. We know the guys who were in that time. I will remember that. It gives motivation this time around.
“Australia-India rivalry is up there with the Ashes. India have probably added to it, the last time when they came here and won. That was some tight series.”
Cheteshwar Pujara was India’s standout batsman, scoring three centuries and grinding out the Australian attack. Kohli and Rishabh Pant scored centuries. Despite India’s batting depth, it is their bowling that the hosts will have to contend with, feels Hazlewood.
Rivals in pace
“They out-bowled us the last time they came. That went a long way for them in winning the series. They have most bases covered with their quicks. If Ishant Sharma gets here at some point it will add to their strength.
“They are all a little bit different. For the last 10-15 years, Indian pacers have kept improving. Our batters will have to be on their toes to counter that.”
Bumrah took 21 scalps to be joint-highest wicket-taker with Lyon. Mohammed Shami (16) and Ishant Sharma (11) too played vital roles with India fielding four fast bowlers in Perth, the one game they lost.
Ishant, who left IPL midway due to a stomach muscle injury, is back to bowling almost full steam at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. Bumrah and Shami, with Test pacers Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini and Mohammed Siraj are training in Sydney ahead of the Test series, starting on December 17.
“Bumrah is probably the standout. He is unique with his action. He maintains pace very well throughout the day, and the whole series. He is probably the key. He can take wickets upfront or with the old ball. I guess it’s about getting lot of overs into him, try to tire him out in the first couple of games. That will be the key,” Hazlewood said.
Hazlewood made his Test debut against India in 2014, and his latest IPL season was with Chennai Super Kings. Thus he has an idea how Indian cricket has progressed. He had three interesting picks for those who could hurt Australia.
“We have played a lot of pink-ball cricket in the last five-six years, and a lot of it has been at the Adelaide Oval. We know the conditions. The timing of the new ball, change of innings is very important. The two hours at night. It’s about setting your team up. Those things can have big swings in the match,” Hazlewood said.
India’s fixtures start on November 27 with the ODI series followed by a T20 series. Though Hazlewood made his ODI debut in 2010 and T20I start in 2013, he hasn’t played much limited-overs cricket. He has played 51 Tests, 51 ODIs and eights T20Is. He wants to change that.
“On some occasions, the T20 and Test teams played at the same time. That wasn’t ideal. It’s a lot different this year. There will be lot of opportunities. I put myself in the IPL auction. In the next 12 months, I hope to improve and get a few more games.”
