SYDNEY: The Glenn McGrath comparisons won’t stop anytime soon for Josh Hazlewood, who almost bowled Australia to victory in the fourth Test against India.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hazlewood was the epitome of disciplined line and length at the SCG on Saturday, smothering the tourists’ batsmen throughout day five.
The 24-year-old conceded just one run from his first 45 deliveries, finishing his third Test with figures of 2-31 from 17 overs.
Playing just his third Test, Hazlewood claimed the key scalp of Murali Vijay to give Australia a sniff of victory in Sydney.
He trapped Ravichandran Ashwin lbw to extend India’s collapse to 5-39, but couldn’t break through the stonewall of Ajinkya Rahane and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Indian captain Virat Kohli is a fan as well.
He hailed Hazlewood as the poster boy for India’s misfiring pace attack.
“Certainly a lot to learn from the Australian bowlers. Especially someone like Josh Hazlewood,” Kohli said of his impotent pacemen.
“He put the ball in the right spots in all three matches. That’s something we need to learn, big time.”
Hazlewood was handed his baggy green in Brisbane when Peter Siddle was dropped and Ryan Harris injured.
The Tamworth product snared a five-wicket haul on Test debut and looms as a key player in this year’s Ashes series.
“He has a lot in common with Glenn,” injured captain Michael Clarke said while calling the game for the Nine Network.
“Similar personalities, they’re both laid-back country boys ... similar strengths.
“If Josh turns out to be half the bowler Glenn McGrath was, he’ll be over the moon.”
Yesterday national selectors included Josh in their 15 man-strong World Cup squad while also naming hamstrung captain Michael Clarke.
Clarke, who missed the final three Tests against India due to hamstring surgery, has been given until February 21 to prove his fitness for the one-day tournament.
Chief selector Rod Marsh can replace Clarke in the squad, and revealed he will do so if the 33-year-old is not ready to go for the side’s clash with Bangladesh in Brisbane.
“We have said that if Michael has not recovered by our second match of the tournament against Bangladesh ... we will replace him in the squad,” Marsh said.
“He understands that and is working tirelessly with medical staff to get back to fitness.
“Our medical staff are pleased with his progress following hamstring surgery in December and he continues to undergo thorough rehabilitation work with a view to being ready to play an important role in the World Cup.”
Mitch Marsh, who missed recent Tests at the MCG and SCG due to a hamstring strain, was also named in a squad that contained few surprises.
The squad: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke (capt), George Bailey (vice-capt), Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Marsh, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Xavier Doherty.
