3 reasons why Australia will miss Josh Hazlewood in 1st Ind vs Aus Test at Nagpur

Josh Hazlewood would be a big miss at Nagpur (Source: Twitter)

The countdown to the 4-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series is concluding soon, with the first Test scheduled for Thursday at Nagpur. The visiting Australian side is dealt with major injury woes; Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green are all out for the first Test to be played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium.

As such, the Aussie fast-bowling contingent is massively affected. Hazlewood, especially, has been a key performer against India. Will his missing out on the first Test be a decisive blow for the Aussies in the series?

Check out the three reasons why Australia will miss Hazlewood in the Nagpur Test.

1. Hazlewood boasts a terrific record against India

Josh Hazlewood would be a big miss at Nagpur (Source: Twitter)

Notably, Josh Hazlewood started proceeding in red-ball cricket with a five-wicket haul against India in 2014. Since that game, he has faced India in 15 Test matches, picking up 51 wickets at an impressive average of 26.94. This includes 4 five-wicket hauls, with the best figures of 5-8 in the iconic Adelaide Test, where the Indians were bundled out for mere 36 runs on the board.

Hazlewood also has a decent record playing in India. He has taken nine wickets in four tests at an average of 32.78. Interestingly, his career-best figures of 6-67 came in Bengaluru during the 2016-17 BGT series.

2. Hazlewood is equally good with the new as well as the old ball

Josh Hazlewood would be a big miss at Nagpur (Source: Twitter)

To succeed as a fast bowler in India, one needs to be able to use the old ball well. On subcontinent pitches, pacers come into the game as the ball gets old, bringing reverse swing into the picture. Hazlewood is one who can get the ball to reverse expertly.

It is primarily the old ball that does the trick in India. Bowlers only get a little help off Indian surfaces with the new cherry in the opening hours. The nature of the pitches is such that it gets the ball to rough up much quicker than Australian pitches do. Hence, being a clinical old-ball bowler is much more important while playing in India; Hazlewood has a bit of experience there.

3. Replacements on the bench have no subcontinent experience

Josh Hazlewood would be a big miss at Nagpur (Source: Twitter)

Hazlewood played an essential part in Australia’s tour of India back in 2016-17. Besides reaching his career-best figures of 6-67 in the Bengaluru Test, Hazlewood also picked up three more wickets in the 4-Test series. Having completed nine years in the Australian Test jersey, Hazlewood's experience and the balance he brings to the bowling line-up are immense.

However, one cannot say the same about his immediate replacements on the bench. Scott Boland is the natural pick, and Lance Morris is also travelling with the team, offering another choice. Talking about the duo’s experience, Hazlewood said, "Scotty has bowled plenty at the MCG when it was a flat wicket; it probably wasn't swinging or reverse swinging, so he knows how to work hard for a long period of time," Hazlewood remarked about his 33-year-old replacement on Cricket Australia's exclusive interview.

"You've got Lance Morris, who has worked hard on reverse swing for the last month and then a nice lead-in here with a few sessions. The guys are excited, first of all, to play in the subcontinent, they both haven’t yet, but they're very well qualified to do so," he added.