Aakash Chopra believes Josh Hazlewood could be a weak link in Australia’s seam attack in World Cup 2023. The Australian team has announced a preliminary 18-man squad for the global event in India from October 5 to November 19. Hazlewood is among five frontline seamers in the group, which includes Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Sean Abbott, and Nathan Ellis. Other.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra reflected on some of the seam-bowling attacks to be seen in the upcoming World Cup. About Australia, he said:
“Mitchell Starc is not just a bowler in Australia, England or favorable conditions. His numbers in Asia are equally good. 37 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 23.1 – not bad at all, picking up more than two wickets per match is a phenomenal thing. Pat Cummins – similar once again. His numbers in Asia actually become better.”
The former Indian opener added:
“However, you see a weak link in the form of Josh Hazlewood. He has an average of 25.6 and an economy of 4.57 otherwise but only six wickets in eight matches in Asia. He has an average of 61. Josh Hazlewood’s figures are terrible.”
Josh Hazlewood recorded figures of 1/55 in 9.3 overs in the only ODI he played in India. He played his other seven ODIs in Asia on Sri Lankan soil, where he took five wickets at an average of 62.20 and an economy rate of 4.89.
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“He’s Not That Much Of A Threat” – Aakash Chopra On Trent Boult’s Poor ODI Figures In Asia
Turning his attention to New Zealand, Aakash Chopra pointed out that Trent Boult’s numbers in Asia are indifferent.
He explained:
“Trent Boult’s overall numbers are phenomenal but he has an average of nearly 40 in Asia. He has picked up only 17 wickets in 14 matches. He is not the same threat because he doesn’t pick that many wickets with the old ball. He is mostly a new-ball bowler. A lot of respect but he is lethal only with the new ball.”
Acknowledging that Tim Southee has impressive numbers in Asia, the reputed commentator is of the view that the Kiwi team does not have a strong seam-bowling attack suited for subcontinent conditions. He elaborated:
“Tim Southee’s numbers in Asia are better than his overall numbers. You wonder why that is the case – maybe he bowls more off-cutters and has a little more variety. Lockie Ferguson – an overall average of 31 and 29 in Asia. New Zealand – they combine the five fingers to make a fist but fast bowling is okay-okay.”
On the other hand, Aakash Chopra pointed out that Pakistan has three excellent seamers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah. He has impressive numbers around the world and in Asia as well, highlighting that bowlers like Afridi have better records in the subcontinent because of their ability to reverse-swing the old ball.
