Ashes 2023: Josh Hazlewood hopes rain aids Australia to draw Test
After two gruesome days in the ongoing Ashes 2023 Test in Manchester, the all-important lead gained by Australia is under threat. Notably, the visiting side has had a forgettable first two days in the game so far with England in commanding position post day 2 of the fourth Test. However, given the weather forecast for the coming days ahead and how the later part of the day panned out for the Australian batters, it would be safe to say that rain gods may come in to rescue the Aussies with the hope of a draw thereby retaining the coveted ‘Urn’.
Moreover, in the post-match interaction, the Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood seems quite pleased with the rain interruption and hopes that it helps his side to pull off a draw which would mean that England will be defied of a chance to level the series and stay relevant in the process. Now, speaking of day 2, after the Jonny Bairstow show, who was left stranded on an unbeaten 99, pacer Mark Wood showed his bowling brilliance to rattle the Australian batting lineup in their second innings by taking three wickets, thereby leaving the visitors at the mercy of rains in a hope to escape from the jaws of defeat.
Meanwhile, reflecting on how the game has turned out for Australia, the pacer Josh Hazlewood hopes that his side gets some respite through losing some overs which could prove to be match and series-defining both. Furthermore, he said that it was nothing new for his side to experience a tiring day at work given the experience they have had in India earlier this year. It was just the overall run rate which may be bothering Australia. Besides, Hazlewood also remarked that the Aussies believe in themselves as they have bounced back from such tough situations in the past.
“I’d be very pleased. It’s obviously forecast but forecasts can change all the time. Obviously, rain and light plays a big part in cricket and has done forever. So, yeah, it’d be great to lose a few overs here and there, and make our job a little easier if I’m hanging in there,” the 32-year-old was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
It’s just trying to limit his scoring and keeping the tailender on strike for next over: Hazlewood
Apart from discussing the rains, the Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood also reflected on the questionable tactics used by the visitors in the fourth Ashes Test to contain Jonny Bairstow while they conceded several byes off Alex Carey, by bowling down the leg side. This meant that England were able to score 66 runs for the last wicket stand between Bairstow and James Anderson, which could cost Australia heavy going into the final days of the Ashes Test. But the Oz pacer thinks that it was just part of restricting the run rate and trying new ways to get the keeper-stumper out.
“Do you just bowl wide and down leg and really stop him from scoring? Or do you try and roll the dice and bounce him and try and get a wicket that way, or keep bowling hard length and hopefully one goes up the chute? We saw probably a new tactic again today of running on bouncers or running through to the keeper. It’s just trying to limit his scoring and [trying] different things to try with two balls left, one ball left, keeping the tailender on strike for next over and things like that, so I thought we did reasonably well,” Hazlewood concluded.
