In spite of putting in a great effort with the ball versus West Indies yesterday in the practice match, Josh Hazlewood is not sure whether he would find himself in the scheme of things next week when the Kangaroos play their first game in the World Twenty 20 Championship against the Kiwis at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala.
Hazlewood was amongst Australia’s first choice bowlers in the One Day International World Cup at home a year back and he had played both in the semi final as well as in the final, but, because of him being a length bowler and not having that much of pace, the Australian management has been reluctant to back him in the twenty 20 games as with his kind of bowling, he is bound to go for runs at the start and in the death too.
Especially in India, where if Dharamsala and to some extent Mohali is barred, the other venues are not likely to produce swinging conditions, Hazlewood might not make impression with the new ball either which he is known for.
However, one thing which Hazlewood can still trouble the batsmen with is his height. If it’s up and down, then his length bowling can come to some effect as the elevation with which he delivers the ball, it can be quite deceiving for the batsmen in terms of their foot movement. They might end up being caught in the crease to the deliveries which they should be forward to.
But, as far as Australia is concerned, there are so many choices that they have in the squad, the likes of Coulter-Nile who is tall as well and bowls with a high arm action and can bat a bit too and also, Hastings, those guys might get the nod for the starters and Hazlewood might have to wait for his time.