Antigua, May 28 (IANS) Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood on Thursday put his hand up for selection in the first Test against the West Indies with a standout performance on the first day of Australia’s practice match.
The dry conditions anticipated in the Caribbean wouldn’t normally be expected to favour the tall New South Wales (NSW) fast-bowler, whose bounce — especially on Australian pitches — is one of his greatest assets.
But Hazlewood showed his versatility on the opening day of Australia’s three-day game against a West Indies President’s XI, picking up 2-26 with six maidens in 15 overs, reports cricket.com.au.
And he was unlucky not to add to his tally in the final session, twice finding the inside edge with some late swing only for the ball to somehow evade the stumps and reach the fine leg boundary.
One of the most encouraging aspects of Hazlewood’s day was his ability to find lateral movement with both the old and new ball on a slow and dry surface devoid of grass.
“Everyone’s trying to do their best in a tour game to put their name forward,” Hazlewood said.
“As you’ve seen the wicket’s quite flat but it obviously did a little bit with the new ball. I thought we bowled pretty well all day, it was quite hard work out there. But we stuck to it and you can see the results.
“It was moving a little bit. I think there will be a bit of reverse swing in the Tests as well with similar conditions. We’ve got to try and get used to it as bowlers and when we’re facing it as well.
“So there’s a few things to work on there. It was good to have a hit out here in a match situation and with an old ball as well,” he said.
Australia take on the West Indies in the first Test of the two-match series at Windsor Park, Roseau from June 3.