Aussies quicks ready to dig deep at Gabba

By Rob Forsaith / Wire

The addition of Cameron Green has ensured Australia’s star-studded attack are physically ready to push for a Test series victory in Brisbane, according to Josh Hazlewood.

Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc delivered a combined 74 overs in the final innings of the SCG Test, failing to secure victory against a resolute India.

It was a bitter blow for the gun quicks, made all the more painful because of a three-day turnaround between the third and fourth Tests.

Hazlewood, Cummins and Starc didn’t bowl in the nets before the Gabba Test but were backed to front up in Brisbane.

Winning the toss ensured another day of respite but the pacemen will likely have to bowl on four consecutive days as Australia pursue victory.

Hazlewood, fresh from a five-wicket haul on day three of the series-deciding fourth Test, is confident there will be no issues after India’s first innings dragged into a 112th over.

“Everybody’s body is pretty good to be honest,” Hazlewood said.

“Everyone pulled up pretty well from Sydney.

“We had a pretty quiet start to the series … didn’t bowl a hell of a lot in Adelaide and Melbourne, and had quite a bit of time off between (the second and third Tests).”

Hazlewood noted allrounder Green, who debuted in Adelaide and played all four Tests this summer, has been a game-changer when it comes to workload management.

“Greeny makes a huge difference,” he said.

“Even the short spells of four overs here and there, make a huge difference. Whereas in the past it would have been one of us quicks bowling them.

“He’s going to get on a real roll soon and take a few wickets for us.”

Hazlewood, who predicted a potential declaration could be at a similar time to when it came in the third Test, added it would be up to him, Cummins and Starc to do the bulk of the work at the Gabba.

“I don’t think it’s going to help him (Nathan Lyon) too much,” Hazlewood said.

“It’s probably more the quicks and a few cracks opening up. We didn’t see a great deal of spin.”

The Crowd Says:

2021-01-18T11:19:16+00:00

Bob

Guest


Have no idea why the selectors chose to use an obviously cooked and exhausted Starc when they have Pattinson raring to go. The tired effort when our attack were taken to cleaners by a rookie no 7 and no 8 was a direct result of the decision to pick tired and out of form bowler. On top of that the failure to target the stumps in both this and the previous tests show the selectors and captain have been drinking their own bath water after Adelaide.

2021-01-18T10:41:57+00:00

James

Roar Rookie


Starc looked sore after his first delivery when his front foot slid in delivery stride. Reached for his hamstring and looked distressed. Cameron Green may have to play a bigger role. Early wickets vital. Rohit, Shubman, Pant and their two new allrounders are capable of pulling off an unlikely win.

2021-01-17T22:34:06+00:00

JGK

Roar Guru


Cummins looked tired yesterday.

2021-01-17T22:18:00+00:00

badmanners

Roar Rookie


Depends on what the pitch does, will it deteriorate or just get slower like Sydney?

2021-01-17T21:22:35+00:00

DCD

Roar Rookie


Can Australia win this one?

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