Australian legend Adam Gilchrist believes CSK pacer Josh Hazlewood has made it tough for the selectors to finalise a playing XI during the T20 World Cup.
Playing on UAE’s dry, spin-friendly tracks, Hazlewood used his height and pace to decent effect, taking 11 wickets from 9 innings at an economy rate of 8.37. The fast-bowler’s tournament tally included an impressive spell of 2/29 in the final on Friday against the Kolkata Knight Riders in Dubai.
Thus, while Hazlewood is considered below prominent pacers Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc in the Australian pecking order for T20Is in Asian conditions, Gilchrist reckons he has done his chances no harm through his run of games in the IPL 2021.
“Hazlewood is the one who has thrown his hand in the mix now to get a game. How they fit him in there and who they leave out is going to be interesting to see which way they go because it seems like the spinners need to be of paramount importance too,”
the great wicketkeeper-batter was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
When everyone felt Glenn Maxwell is a risky bet from Royal Challengers Bangalore because of his inconsistency and struggles in the preview few editions of IPL, the Australian maverick blasted 513 runs from his 15 innings at strike-rate of 144.10 while averaging 42.75.
Gilchrist said that Maxwell will be a huge threat to the opposition with his ability to dent their confidence:
“When he does well it’s usually in a manner that totally demoralises the opposition and takes the game away from them,”
the legend said in praise of Maxwell.
Maxwell has featured in 72 T20Is for Australia with 1,780 runs at a strike-rate of 158.92, averaging 31.78.
Australia begin their T20 World Cup campaign with a Super 12 game against South Africa in Abu Dhabi on October 23.
