New Zealand’s historic 3-0 Test series triumph in India could wake a “sleeping giant” of world cricket when Virat Kohli and his team of stars arrive in Australia shores later this month.
That’s the view of Josh Hazlewood, who says India’s confidence might have taken a blow ahead of a blockbuster five-Test series starting in Perth on November 22, but predicts a major bounce-back against Australia.
New Zealand became the first team to whitewash India 3-0 on Indian soil after a thrilling 25-run win in Mumbai on Sunday in which Kiwi spinner Ajaz Patel took six wickets in the second innings.
It is just the second time since 2014 that India have lost three straight Tests, prompting speculation they could be vulnerable when they take on Australia.
“It might awaken a sleeping giant, so to speak,” Test quick Hazlewood told this masthead after the final day of NSW’s draw with Queensland in the Sheffield Shield. “We’ll see that when they come out.
“It’s obviously better them losing 3-0 than winning 3-0, easily. The confidence might have taken a bit of a hit. A lot of them have been out here, but there’s a few batters who haven’t, so they’ll be a bit unsure of what to expect. I don’t think you can read too much into it. The results are obviously good for us in a way.
Indian star Virat Kohli walks from the field after being dismissed against New Zealand. Credit: AP
“Credit to the Kiwi boys. They played outstanding cricket. To win 3-0 in India is unbelievable. It’s hard enough to win one game there, let alone every match of the series.”
India’s series defeat has left Australia on top of the World Test Championship ladder before a potential final on June 11 next year at Lord’s. It is likely Australia will need to win four of their remaining seven Tests to make it back-to-back World Test Championship crowns.
Josh Hazlewood sends one down for NSW in their Sheffield Shield match with Queensland in Sydney.Credit: Getty Images
Selection chair George Bailey will watch the second Australia A game against India A at the MCG from Thursday with interest, before naming a 13-man squad for the Perth Test on Monday.
While A team captain Nathan McSweeney has furthered his case for a Test debut, the confident strokeplay of Tasmanian allrounder Beau Webster did not go unnoticed in Mackay. Top-order domestic stalwarts Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft will each be hoping for a big score at the MCG to make one more push for selection.
India, meanwhile, have sent Test squad members KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel to Australia early so they can play at the MCG. Neither took part in the third Test defeat but will be considered for the upcoming series. Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar has argued that Rohit Sharma’s side has erred by not scheduling a proper tour game before the Border-Gavaskar series begins.
“I really do believe that they should have a warm-up game,” Gavaskar told The Indian Express. “In the gaps between Test matches, they really should have warm-up games. Not necessarily for the senior players. But for the junior players who have never played in Australia before.
“For the Yashasvi Jaiswals, the Sarfaraz Khans, the Dhruv Jurels, all these young batters. Juniors must be given the opportunity to get used to the bounce and pitches in Australia.”
Monday marked the start of the men’s international summer, with Australia taking on Pakistan in a one-day international at the MCG.
As Test quicks Pat Cummins (2-39 off 9.4 overs) and Mitchell Starc (3-33 off 10 overs) impressed in Melbourne, Hazlewood spent his Monday buried in newspaper crosswords as NSW fought off Queensland to salvage yet another draw on a flat Cricket Central pitch at Sydney Olympic Park.
Players shook hands just after 4pm with the Blues 4-256 in their second innings, leading Queensland by 89 runs.
Hazlewood didn’t take a wicket in the match but said he wasn’t concerned after returning figures of 0-57 from 24 overs as Queensland amassed 5-406 in their only innings.
“I pretty much got out what I needed … very happy with how I bowled,” Hazlewood said. “Body felt surprisingly good. The longer I went, I think the better that I felt, and the rhythm was there.”
Hazlewood said he would play the second ODI against Pakistan on Friday in Adelaide but that he and other Test stars would sit out the third fixture on Sunday.
“Everything’s falling into place,” he said. “It’s just a huge series. Every time we play India, it’s right up there with the Ashes. I think the crowds will be massive. I think the TV ratings could be huge. [There is talk] it could be the biggest ever.”
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