New Delhi: Australia’s pace ace Josh Hazlewood said when a bowler is up against an aggressive batter like Rishabh Pant, it is essential to have multiple plans in mind as proceedings might not go as per plans.
Pant will be on one of India’s key batters in their five-match series against Australia that begins in Perth on Friday. The keeper-batter’s pyrotechnics with the willow helped India win the series the last time they toured Australia in 2021.
The left hander’s 89-run knock in the fourth and final Test in Brisbane, which is regarded as one of greatest Test knocks by an Indian. Hence it is important for bowlers to have a flexible approach as Pant is expected to cut loose at any moment.
“Against such batters, you need Plan B and C if things go south. It is important to have different plans. We also have players like Travis Head and Mitch Marsh who can take the game away,” Hazlewood said on Wednesday.
The right armer also felt India would badly miss Mohammed Shami, who is yet to be fit for rigours of international cricket after a year absent with ankle issues for which he underwent surgery.
“They will miss him (Shami). He has played around 60 Tests. He is a senior bowler. Of course, he is someone all the youngsters look up to but Jasprit Bumrah has taken that role over the years,” he said.
“Bumrah is also the captain in the first Test, maybe and he is someone who players look up to and is the leader of the attack.”
Gill absence vital
Number three batter Shubman Gill’s absence with a thumb injury would also be a blow for the visiting team as it could disbalances their batting line-up.
“Obviously that unsettles the top 6, a little bit of an issue but as I said, the depth in Indian cricket is unmatched, perhaps the team with the best depth in the world. Whoever comes in has earned their stripes and will do well no doubt,” he said.
Hazlewood also said that he is preparing for a gruelling series of five Tests, one more than usual, and is looking forward to the challenge of taking on Indian batters.
“It is a five-Test series, an added factor. It is going to be more gruelling. If you win a series against India in any part of the world, you know you have earned it. So yeah, it is right up there,” Hazlewood added.
Pant will be on one of India’s key batters in their five-match series against Australia that begins in Perth on Friday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
