Josh Hazlewood expressed confidence in Australia's bowling strategy for the upcoming 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup final against India, stating that their recent performance against South Africa provided a blueprint for bowling effectiveness, especially when defending a total.
In the semi-final clash, Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc utilized a Test-match style of precision and length to swiftly reduce South Africa to 24/4. This initial breakthrough set the stage for a tense three-wicket victory at the Eden Gardens.
Australia, a five-time champion, is set to compete in their eighth Men’s ODI World Cup final, marking a rematch of the 2003 World Cup finale against India in South Africa.
Hazlewood emphasized the significance of starting strongly with the ball when defending a total, highlighting the team's recent focus on this aspect. He expressed satisfaction with their execution against South Africa, noting that they now understand the blueprint for a successful bowling performance when setting a target.
Reflecting on their previous encounter with India in the tournament opener, Hazlewood acknowledged India's all-round strength in their bowling attack and batting lineup. Despite Australia's initial success in reducing India to 2/3 early in the innings, India's strong partnership between KL Rahul and Virat Kohli led to their victory and subsequent winning streak.
Hazlewood acknowledged India's depth across all facets of the game and highlighted the adaptability required while playing in different venues across India. He noted that each ground presents unique challenges, affecting bowling and batting strategies. Hazlewood anticipated conditions similar to those encountered in their match against England in Ahmedabad, expecting a pitch that provides assistance to both spinners and seamers.
In essence, Hazlewood's comments indicate Australia's assessment of India's strengths while emphasizing their own adaptability and strategic approach, aiming to counter India's well-rounded abilities in the upcoming high-stakes final.
(With Agency Inputs)
