Hazelwood warns England their strategy could play into Australia’s fingers
J
osh Hazlewood has warned England that their request for “fast, flat” wickets may play straight into Australia’s fingers, as the ultimate verbal jabs are thrown earlier than the Ashes start on Friday.
Both groups had been coaching at Edgbaston on Wednesday, with lower than 48 hours to go till England begin their quest to regain the Urn, whereas Australia are chasing a primary sequence win right here since 2001, having already claimed the World Test Championship on the Kia Oval final weekend.
In April, Stokes introduced his want for flat pitches that may play to his aspect’s new-found energy of speedy scoring, which was demonstrated once more on a dull deck at Lord’s earlier this month, as England made 524 for 4 declared at faster than a run-a-ball of their sole Ashes warm-up in opposition to
Ireland.Australia’s assault, nevertheless, guarantees to offer a sterner problem, whereas England’s — lacking categorical tempo choices Jofra Archer and Olly Stone, in addition to first-choice spinner Jack Leach — can have their work reduce out in opposition to the likes of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne ought to the floor supply little help.
The vacationers’ struggles in opposition to the transferring ball have been considered one of England’s main strengths in latest dwelling Ashes. By distinction, England haven’t received a Test Down Under, the place pitches are usually flatter and sooner, since 2011, and Hazlewood believes Stokes’s plan may backfire.
“It surprised me,” Hazlewood stated. “If I am England, I am probably going the opposite way. You are probably going green wickets that are doing a fair bit, and then back yourself to make more runs than us on those types of wickets. They come to Australia and the wickets are harder, flatter and faster. And we’ve seen the results.”
Hazlewood has declared himself match for the sequence opener, having missed the WTC victory over India with aspect and Achilles accidents, however faces a struggle to win again his place after an excellent show from Scott Boland.
Pat Cummins, as captain, is for certain to play, that means Hazlewood must displace both Boland or Mitchell Starc, who was costly in opposition to India however gives some extent of distinction together with his left-arm tempo.
Having began the sequence on the bench, Hazlewood was sensational within the final Ashes in England in 2019, taking 20 wickets at 21.85, however after a raft of health issues which have seen the seamer play simply 4 Tests in nearly two-and-a-half years, he accepts rotation this summer time is inevitable.
“If we go back a few years, I would have said [I expected to play] all [the Tests],” he added. “But I guess it’s a little bit different now, based on the last two years of history.
“I believe three could be a pleasant cross and 4 might be a tick. Any greater than that’s nice. Any much less, then I’m in all probability a bit of dissatisfied once more.”
England, in the meantime, are weighing up the make-up of their very own seam assault, with Stuart Broad and Mark Wood seemingly tussling for the ultimate place alongside James Anderson and Ollie Robinson.