'Every game is different and that’s what I’ve learned over the last few weeks' - Josh Hazlewood

Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood was superb in the team’s opening match against South Africa in the 20-20 World Cup. The pacer gave away just 19 runs and picked up two vital wickets of Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen to set up a five-wicket victory for Australia. Hazlewood is predominately a Test match bowler and relies more on maintaining good lines and lengths. He stuck to his strengths and reaped rewards on a sluggish Abu Dhabi wicket.

Reflecting on his performance, Hazlewood said it is necessary to consistently hit the hard lengths on these wickets. “Chatting about how batters are probably expecting that you to change if you are hit for four or six. Think the wickets are a little different here as well, but it’s about to keep doing the same thing and make them hit fours and sixes off your good deliveries- just above the stumps, a hard length,” Hazlewood said to ESPN Cricinfo.

The Australian pacer also spoke about having good training sessions and preparing for the game, and then executing those during the match days as a bowling unit. Apart from Hazlewood, even Adam Zampa, Pat Cummins, and Maxwell bowled well.

“Every game is different and that’s what I’ve learned over the last few weeks. It’s about getting everything in order at training and preparing yourself for anything, then summing it up as a bowling group once you are out there,” he added.

Australia will next face Sri Lanka on Thursday (October 28) at the Dubai International Stadium.