Hazlewood turns heat on Test rookie Roy ahead of Ashes
Australia paceman Josh Hazlewood has cranked up the pressure on Jason Roy ahead of the Ashes, reminding the England batsman about the perils of transferring his one-day mindset to the Test arena.
Roy’s credentials in whiteball cricket are unquestioned, with his fearless, aggressive style crucial in his side’s triumphant World Cup campaign but his ability to repeat that success in the five-day format is not yet certain.
England were clearly cautious, picking the 29-yearold for 84 ODIS before sending him out in whites for the first time against Ireland last week. Debuting as an opener, he made just five in the first innings – and could have been out three times – before hitting 72 from No 3 in the second, nightwatchman Jack Leach having seen off the new ball.
Hazlewoodisoneofthetouring seamers lining up for the chance to examine Roy’s technique, starting at Edgbaston on Thursday, and believes Australia one-day captain Aaron Finch’s experiences should provide a warning to Roy. Finch is a limited-overs star at the top of the order but was dropped from the longer format last year after making just 278 runs in ten innings.
“We’ll see how Roy goes in Testcricket.hehasonlyplayed one Test match and it’s a lot different opening the batting in a Test than a one-day game, that’s for sure,” said Hazlewood.
“In England, opening
is probably the toughest place to bat which probably made Alastair Cook’s record all the better. To play attacking cricket in those conditions is tough.
“Aaron Finch found it tough last summer against a quality India attack on wickets that didn’t do too much to be honest. I think he found it a big step up to be honest. He found the ball swung and seamed around and the wickets were a lot different to a one-day wicket. He’d played a lot of his four-day cricket at five or six and I think Roy is the same at Surrey. It’s hard to bat five at a level below and then open in Test cricket. We’ll see.”
Asked if he had a plan should he come head-to-head with Roy, Hazlewood said: “Oh for sure. I think just stick to the basics of Test cricket.”
Hazlewood watched with interest as Ireland dismissed England for just 85 in the first innings at Lord’s in a nervy win for the hosts, but is aware the total can increase just as frantically as the wickets column where Joe Root’s side are concerned.
“Yeah, I watched a little bit of the Ireland game. I always love seeing wickets instead of runs,” he said. “They do play a few shots, yeah. Things can move pretty quickly one way or the other. If you’re not on your game the runs can pile on and vice-versa – if you’re on you can take a few wickets and put them under pressure.”