World Cup 2023: The total was under-par, 250-260 would have been a different ball game – Josh Hazlewood

Australia’s veteran fast bowler Josh Hazlewood admitted the total was under-par and if they had posted 250-260, then it would have been a different ball game against India at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Sunday.

Australia was cruising at one stage on 110-2 with a well-settled Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne at the crease. However, they lost five wickets for the next 30 runs in 56 balls and slipped to 140-7.

Ravindra Jadeja was the chief destroyer as he returned with impressive figures of 3-28, including a big wicket of Steve Smith, who was looking all set for a big score. In the end, Australia was skittled out for a paltry score of 199 runs and their batters could not make most of their starts. In fact, none of the Australian batters could breach the 50-run mark.

“Obviously the total was under par. I can’t remember exact numbers, but I think we were two for 110 or something like that. Not going really quickly but just building a base to maybe launch in the last 10 or 15 overs and you know if we get 260, 250 – 260 then it’s a different ballgame and we get those early wickets and get on top so yeah, I think from two for 110 to all out 200, that’s probably where the batting went wrong,” said Hazlewood in the post-match press conference.

“It obviously felt like it probably spun more in the first half. Definitely, the dew came in but I think early in our bowling innings it was doing enough and it was still dry,” he explained.

“The wicket was up and down a little bit so you felt in the game as a quick in particular I think, and then I think it got a little bit better to bat on right towards the end. I know it’s a partnership but I think it just felt a little bit easier as the ball was just skidding on a little bit.”

Hazlewood admitted that playing in extreme conditions of spin against India was a good test for their batters. Australia will next take on South Africa in Lucknow and the conditions are expected to be on the slow side.

“I think in particular batting in that first innings, that was probably as extreme as the conditions are going to get, I think, in terms of spin and playing spin throughout the middle and trying to find ways to score, keep that run rate ticking over without losing wickets,” said Hazlewood, about the conditions in Chennai.

“So, there’s probably a good sort of examination on our batters to get that up first, probably against the best spinners in the tournament, arguably. Hopefully, it gets a little bit easier from here on in and they’ll come up with some new plans and go from there.”

The Pat Cummins-led team will next take on South Africa at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Thursday.