Aussie quicks ready to back up
CRICKET
BRISBANE: Australia’s starstudded pace attack is feeling fresh and set to back up in Brisbane despite the prospect of a jarring threeday break after the SCG test which starts today.
There were preseries fears that Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc would need a break at some point this summer.
Hazlewood and Cummins were both unable to play a redball game before the first test, having taken part in the Indian Premier League.
An incredibly short turnaround between the third and fourth tests also loomed as a major con cern for medicos, who closely monitor the workload of fast bowlers and try to decrease the risk of injury.
David Warner has flagged a threeday break will make it ‘‘quite difficult’’ for him to play in both Sydney and Brisbane.
But ball has comprehensively dominated bat during the first half of Australia’s fourtest series against India, while allrounder Cameron Green’s elevation has helped share the bowling burden.
Hazlewood has bowled 51 overs, Cummins has delivered 63.3 overs, and Starc has sent down 57 overs.
‘‘I was just talking to a few of the guys earlier and it’s probably the freshest we have felt while turning up to Sydney at this time of year, for a very long time,’’ Hazlewood said.
‘‘Backtoback is fine now. It’s been a pretty good leadin, the first two tests, to just keep working on that buildup [of workload].
‘‘Even if we bowl 40plus overs here, we’ll be OK for Brisbane.’’
The news will delight captain Tim Paine, whose fast bowlers loom as arguably Australia’s biggest asset in their quest for a series victory.
Cummins and Hazlewood skittled India for a recordlow total of 36 at Adelaide Oval, making a mockery of concerns about their preparation for the test series.
‘‘Three onedayers in a week is as good, if not better, prep for a test than a Shield game,’’ Hazlewood said.
‘‘Different ball, you’re bowling a bit differently.
‘‘But as far as actual physical workload goes — it’s very tough.’’ — AAP