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Hazlewood step up as stand-in spearhead

Josh Hazlewood is feeling fresh and fit as he looks to step up in the absence of Australia's injured spearhead Mitchell Starc.

Josh Hazlewood is 24 and has played Test cricket for less than one year but already he's the leader of Australia's attack.

Hazlewood stepped up in the absence of Mitchell Starc at Adelaide Oval, grabbing a career-best haul of 6-70 in New Zealand's second innings.

Hazlewood finished with match figures of 9-136, also the best haul of his 12-Test career.

Bowling coach Craig McDermott was full of praise for how the beanpole turned his form around after inconsistent performances in Brisbane and Perth.

"He looked like a real old bloke, to be honest," McDermott told ABC Radio on Sunday.

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"He bowled with better pace than he has the last couple of Test matches.

"I look forward to the rest of the summer and him developing further."

Hazlewood was close to being rested for the second Test against NZ.

Steve Smith revealed prior to the WACA clash that team management was worried about Hazlewood's workload.

Hazlewood then bowled 32 overs in NZ's first dig in Perth, more than he has ever sent down in a Test innings.

The NSW paceman backed up to play the day-night fixture in Adelaide and says he is fit enough to stay in the Test side for a three-match series against the West Indies.

"I feel good. I had a little break after the Ashes," Hazlewood said after day two.

"I was going to be rested from the Bangladesh tour so I think that time was well used and I recovered pretty well.

"The body's feeling really good. I feel better after every match."

Hazlewood grabbed three wickets in the night session on day two, removing openers Martin Guptill and Tom Latham plus dangerman Ross Taylor.

He then dismissed BJ Watling, Mark Craig and Trent Boult on day three, restricting NZ to a total of 208 in their second innings.

Taylor was impressed with how well - and long - Hazlewood bowled given Australia were minus their spearhead.

"Hazlewood bowled outstandingly well," Taylor said.

"To bowl 16 overs, it shows a lot of ticker.

"Not only to come in and bowl that many but obviously when a senior man like Starc wasn't there at the other end.

"I'm sure Steve Smith would have been proud of the way he went."

Hazlewood admitted he felt the pressure to deliver in the absence of the side's spearhead.

"Starcy has obviously been in pretty good form for a long time now," he said.

"We're obviously going to miss him this innings but I think everyone has that extra responsibility to step up a little bit and fill that gap.

"I feel like I did that."


3 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



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