Josh Hazlewood will be Australia’s third pace bowler in this week’s first Test against New Zealand after Peter Siddle was named 12th man on Wednesday.
Advertisement
Hazlewood, six years Siddle’s junior, took 16 wickets in four Tests against England last year but, low on confidence and struggling with the intense pressure of the Ashes campaign, was rested for the fifth Test.
Siddle had replaced Hazlewood for the last Test of the Ashes this year and was impressive in collecting 6 for 67 in the match, but Australia’s selectors were swayed by the bounce and pace that a refreshed Hazlewood should offer at the Gabba.
“It’s obviously disappointing for Peter”.
Australia paceman Peter Siddle has expressed his disappointment with his omission from the series-opening test against New Zealand, having clawed his way back into the squad after months on the sidelines. “But that’s the team we’ve gone with”. “Josh Hazlewood had a lot of success out here past year against India”.
New Zealand’s highly-regarded strike attack of Trent Boult and Tim Southee will get the first chance to bowl on a Brisbane wicket that looks likely to feature its customary bounce and carry. “This will be very similar to that one”.
Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum (captain), Jimmy Neesham, BJ Watling (wk), Mark Craig, Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Trent Boult.
“It was a bit of a coin toss with them but we were comfortable either way”, New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum said on Wednesday. “In the end we had to make a decision and we thought Doug was bowling just a touch better at this point in time”.
“I don’t quite understand how a current cricket captain decides to play this brand of cricket on the field which is the Mr Nice Guys and then all of a sudden think he can comment on the way an Ashes series has panned out”, Warner said.
“I’ve caught up with Davey downstairs”, McCullum said.
Advertisement
Smith, who is preparing for his first series since assuming the Test captaincy full-time following Michael Clarke’s retirement, also confirmed he would drop down a spot to play at No 4 in the batting order to make way for Usman Khawaja at No 3. I’ve got a whole lot of respect for Davey Warner. “I’ve got a huge amount of admiration for him and Steve Smith”.
