Hazlewood Identifies Root and Brook as Key English Players

SYDNEY: Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood is bracing himself for what he anticipates will be the most formidable England batting lineup to tour Australia in his career. He specifically noted Joe Root and Harry Brook as significant threats in the upcoming Ashes series in November.

Hazlewood, who participated in four Test matches during the 2023 Ashes series, is aiming to participate in a Sheffield Shield game prior to the series to sharpen his red-ball skills.

The 33-year-old athlete recently took part in five of the six limited-overs matches against South Africa but has strategically avoided prolonged rest periods to sustain peak match readiness.

“It seemed that over the past year, the optimal strategy for me is to maintain momentum through consistent play and minimize extended breaks from bowling,” Hazlewood stated.

“I observe that regaining optimal intensity and workload can be particularly challenging. Therefore, maintaining a high level of match intensity for as long as feasible represents the best approach for me,” he elaborated.

The 34-year-old highlighted Root and Brook as pivotal players for England. Root, who is presently displaying outstanding form but has yet to achieve a century in Australia, holds an average of 35.68 across 14 Test matches in the nation.

Meanwhile, Brook is set to embark on his inaugural Ashes tour Down Under, having risen to the second position in the ICC Test batting rankings.

“Recently, the wickets in England have been notably flat over the past few years, coupled with a particularly dry summer, which suggests that they may be becoming conducive to spin bowling,” Hazlewood commented.

“I anticipate that Brook will successfully adapt. He is a proficient player, evidenced by his high ranking, and will present a significant challenge.

“During Root’s initial appearances, the bowling attack was slightly different, featuring players such as [Mitchell] Johnson, [Ryan] Harris, and [Peter] Siddle. Gaz [Nathan Lyon] has been a consistent presence, and we capitalized on that dynamic.

“I believe that a new entrant like Harry Brook might find the conditions more accommodating. He carries no prior setbacks and can freely express his natural game. Additionally, Joe is arguably at the peak of his career form. Consequently, their batting lineup is exceptionally strong, with the top seven performers demonstrating remarkable consistency, posing a considerable challenge.”

Australia’s build-up to the Ashes will feature a three-game T20I series versus New Zealand in October and white-ball matches versus India.

Hazlewood’s involvement in the Shield will depend on scheduling matters, with New South Wales slated to play Victoria at the SCG commencing November 10, in close proximity to the Perth Test.

Last year, Hazlewood participated in one Shield match prior to the India series and, despite not securing any wickets, made a strong impression during the early stages of the Perth Test before sustaining an injury.

This year, however, he has sustained a more uniform workload, taking part in all four Test matches versus South Africa and the West Indies.