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“If Hazelwood is fit…”: Shastri shares his insights on Australia’s bowling attack for WTC final
As the World Test Championship final between Australia and South Africa draws near, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has weighed in on the composition of Australia's fast bowling attack. Shastri shared his insights on the players who should take to the field at Lord’s, expressing his strong preference for a pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. Meanwhile, Shastri likened Josh Hazlewood to Australian bowling legend Glenn McGrath.
"It will be a very tough choice, but if Hazelwood is fit, then he gets the nod ahead of Boland," Shastri told The ICC Review.
While Shastri has long admired the contributions of Scott Boland, he feels that the conditions at Lord's may be more suited to Hazlewood's line and length.
"If Hazlewood is fit to do that, he will definitely get the nod for two reasons. One, the English conditions, two, Lord's with the slope," he said.
"And the reason I say Lord's slope is Hazlewood is most likened to Glenn McGrath. And you've got to just check Glenn McGrath's record at Lord's, with the slope around and bowling from the Commentary Box end.
McGrath claimed 26 wickets in three Test matches at Lord’s during his career.
"He (McGrath) could be lethal with the ball either seaming back or going away and from either end, to be honest, and I think Hazlewood can do something similar with his height," Shastri said.
"The pitches aren't as quick as in Australia. So you need that extra bit of height and bounce, which he will get as opposed to Scott Boland, though I'm a big fan of Scott Boland."
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