Aussie quicks ready to dig deep at Gabba
The addition of Cameron Green has ensured Australia’s star-studded attack is 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 four 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 gamechanger 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.’’
Australia held a 276-run lead at tea on day four of the series-deciding fourth test, having reached 243-7 after another fightback from India.
Tim Paine’s team, which requires a victory to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar trophy, is battling both Brisbane’s weather and an inexperienced opposition repeatedly proving they will not be intimidated. Play stopped just before tea was taken.