We’re a lot more experienced and confident than the last time: Josh Hazlewood

Australian paceman Josh Hazlewood during a practice session

Wanindu Hasaranga whom the Australians see as their danger man bowls in the nets at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday

• “Sri Lanka has the most spinning wickets that I have played in my career” 

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Six years ago, when Australia last toured here as the number one ranked side, Sri Lanka surprised them in the Test series by drubbing them 3-0, but Australia somewhat compensated for that thrashing to win the ODI series 4-1 and the T20I series 2-0.

Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood who was a member of Australia’s Test and ODI sides on that tour spoke confidently of the present team being more experienced and confident to take on Sri Lanka in three T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests than on the last occasion.

“Coming to Sri Lanka the last time for all the guys, if not for some, it was the first subcontinent tour or probably second or third. We were still quite young and inexperienced at that stage although we were no. 1,” said Hazlewood in a virtual media conference yesterday. “We are a lot more experienced now and more confident in how our game holds up in these conditions whatever format particularly the Test team. We played a lot of cricket in the subcontinent and a lot of cricket together. I would say the confidence and experience will serve us better than the last time.”

Hazlewood said he expected the wickets in Sri Lanka to be a bit different to India where he spent nearly a month with Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. “I expect the wickets to be a little bit different in Sri Lanka, a bit slower and more spin. In the IPL you get quite a few bounce in the wickets and the pace is okay,” said Hazlewood. “First of all, it’s very sweaty in Sri Lanka. On the last tour we played the Test matches first and apart from the first wicket they all took spin a lot. Probably the most spinning wickets that I have played in my career.”

“At Galle there was reverse swing the last time we were there. Quite strong winds across the grounds so reverse swing comes into play with the abrasive surface. Sri Lanka bowled only two overs of quick for the whole game and that tells you what type of wickets we might get. My role is about bowling accurately and building pressure. I guess I become the holding bowler and the spinner becomes the attacking bowler. We sort of switch roles as opposed to what we do in Australia.”  

Hazlewood and Glenn Maxwell played alongside Sri Lanka’s leading T20I spinner Wanindu Hasaranga for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and asked to give some insights to his bowling said: “We had a close look at him. Maxi has more ideas than me about him being a bowler. He (Hasaranga) obviously was a great player for us (RCB), a big wicket-taker throughout the whole tournament. So, he is obviously a danger in the next few weeks.”