Josh dismisses curator’s claims of bouncy Pune pitch

PUNE: Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood on Tuesday brushed aside claims by pitch curator Pandurang Salgaoncar and said that he would be surprised if the ball actually flies past batsmen at the MCA Stadium.

“I would be surprised if (the ball) flies around here,” Hazlewood said at a media interaction. “I think there is still a day and half for the start. We will have a good look in the morning of the game and see how it looks. Hopefully it will fly around.”

Earlier, Salgaoncar said that he can’t guarantee a turning track and it would depend on an individual’s quality to turn the ball on the MCA track. However, he added he can vouch that the pitch would have enough bounce and pace to tease batsmen.

But Hazlewood wasn’t too convinced with the former pacer’s verdict. “In Australia, you get good bounce in most of the games. Obviously you are not going to get that here and have to look (to) get five wickets elsewhere in other ways, whether it’s through reverse swing, or cutters on wickets that can spin and grip as well. I have been working hard on a few different things and hopefully, can put them in practice this week.”

Hazlewood, who had taken a five-for in his debut Test against India at Brisbane, added that he didn’t even expect the balls to carry to the wicketkeeper after the first few sessions. “Maybe on Day One the nicks are going to carry with the harder ball. But it’s different to Australia where the nicks generally carry. But you have to get your head around it. Once it gets softer it’s not going to carry. You try and take wickets in other ways. Bowled, LBW, caught in front of the wicket, there are plenty of chances,” he added.