News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

This article was first published 9 years ago
Rediff.com  » Cricket » Hazlewood and fellow Australian pacers have only one goal in sight

Hazlewood and fellow Australian pacers have only one goal in sight

December 24, 2014 09:56 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

- 'It's always our goal to take 20 wickets'

- 'It backfired at the Gabba with them trying to get stuck into us and Mitch fired back'

Peter Siddle and Mitchell Johnson enjoy an Australian training session at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday

Peter Siddle and Mitchell Johnson enjoy an Australian training session at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday. Photograph: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

India's attempts to get under Australia's skin in the second Test "backfired" on the way to defeat at the Gabba, according to paceman Josh Hazlewood.

Australia head into the third Test starting in Melbourne on Friday with a 2-0 lead in the four-match series and looking to seal victory.

Hazlewood's teammate and fellow seamer Mitchell Johnson came in for some sledging by India's fielders in Brisbane but spanked an important 88 from 93 balls in Australia's second innings before setting up victory with a four-wicket haul.

"It backfired at the Gabba with them trying to get stuck into us and Mitch fired back," Hazlewood told reporters in Melbourne on Wednesday.

"It was good to see him pick up some wickets in the second innings and really fire up and bowl fast.

"It's a good spot to be in at 2-0 at this time of the year. If we can crack them right open (at the MCG) early we can drive the game forward towards 3-0."

Josh Hazlewood bowls during an Australian training session

Josh Hazlewood bowls during an Australian training session. Photograph: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Hazlewood, the latest young talent to come off Australia's fast bowler production line, enjoyed a fine Test debut, taking five wickets in the first innings for a seven-wicket match overall at the Gabba.

He is set to be retained in a three-pronged pace attack along with fit-again Ryan Harris and Johnson for Melbourne's traditional Boxing Day Test.

If called on to bowl first, the trio will hope to do damage early on the Melbourne Cricket Ground's drop-in wicket as it usually Tests batsmen in the first session before flattening out.

"This one will be different again, but it's always our goal to take 20 wickets," Hazlewood said.

"They're a class batting line-up, but whether they get starts or not we're looking to keep bowling well to them all the time, keeping them tied down, and looking to take wickets throughout the day."

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024