Australia’s ‘fearsome foursome’ ready for New Zealand hurdle
CHAMPIONS TROPHY Australia finally have pace quartet of Hazlewood, Cummins, Starc and Pattinson available
Australia must decide whether to unleash all of their ‘fearsome foursome’ of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson in their Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand on Friday.
Injuries have meant the quartet of fast bowlers have rarely all been fit at the same time and, even now, Australia may decide it’s too much of a risk fielding all four in the same team, with John Hastings -- who has plenty of English county experience -- also in the squad.
For Cummins, whose career has been blighted by several back stress fractures, just being in contention again is something of a relief. The 24-year-old made his international debut in 2011, yet the fact he’s played just three Tests and 28 one-day internationals since then is testament to how much time Cummins has spent on the treatment table.
But he now believes his body can withstand the rigours of international cricket.
“I now feel that because I’m a couple of years older, and because I had a full off-season at pretty low intensity, my body was a bit more hardened than it used to be when I did come back,” Cummins explained.
Left-arm fast bowler Starc, arguably the world’s leading ‘yorker’ bowler, has recovered from a foot injury that cut short his tour of India, while Pattinson has returned from shin and back problems.
Australia are now hoping they have a potent quartet of their own, with coach Darren Lehmann saying: “It would be great to see them go at it and see how they go.”
Australia also boast one of the most powerful top orders, with captain Steve Smith and opener David Warner outstanding in all formats.
New Zealand beat Australia in a thrilling pool match in Auckland at the 2015 World Cup only to lose to their trans-Tasman rivals in the final in Melbourne.
Friday’s encounter at Birmingham’s Edgbaston ground is set to feature several survivors, with New Zealand captain Kane Williamson having cemented his place as one of the world’s best