Pressure is on all top-order batters, says Warner as Lee bats for Hazlewood’s return for Brisbane Test

Former batter David Warner has said that the responsibility for scoring runs for Australia in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy doesn’t fall solely on opener Usman Khawaja but on the entire top six, who need to deliver big to ease the workload on the team’s pace attack.

Khawaja has had a torrid start to the series, managing just 34 runs across the first two Tests. His inability to convert starts has been part of a longer slump, with just one fifty in his last 16 innings for Australia. However, Khawaja isn’t alone in his struggles. Steve Smith has contributed a mere 19 runs in three innings, while Marnus Labuschagne secured his position with a gritty 64 in Adelaide.

“I think the pressure is on all the top order, not just ‘Uzzie’. Travis came out and counterpunched and scored a brilliant hundred, and we know he’s capable of doing it.

“But it’s everyone else around supporting that. It’s not just one player in particular, it’s the top six scoring bulk runs and making sure you’re giving rest to the fast bowlers. It was a fast-paced Test in the first game, but this last one was Mitchell Starc at his best as usual with the pink ball,” Warner told Fox Sports.

Warner also threw his support behind Nathan McSweeney, who has had a challenging initiation against India’s bowling attack. Despite scoring only 39 runs in the first innings in Adelaide, Warner praised McSweeney’s temperament and technique.

“We saw glimpses the other day of the intent that you show when you’re scoring. There are a lot of question marks around why they chose him, but the glimpses that you’ve seen, we now know why. He’s got a good temperament; I like the way he sets up, and I think he’s got a good future ahead of him,” said Warner.

With the five-match series currently levelled at 1-1, the third Test is scheduled from December 14 to 18 in Brisbane.

Meanwhile, former Australian pacer Brett Lee has thrown his support behind the veteran quick Josh Hazlewood to return for the Brisbane Test in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, citing his track record and impact.

Adelaide Test replacement Scott Boland delivered an impressive performance after Hazlewood was ruled out due to a side strain. Boland seized his opportunity, claiming five wickets in the match and dismantling India’s top order. However, with Hazlewood nearing fitness, he is likely to be included in the third Test.

Brett Lee believes that Hazlewood, provided he is fully fit, should return to the starting XI for the Brisbane Test. Lee acknowledged Boland’s outstanding effort but emphasised Hazlewood’s consistent performances and seniority.

“Look, it’s a tough one but you’d have to go back on form and what Josh Hazlewood has done. For me personally, Josh Hazlewood slips straight back in. If he’s fully fit he gets the new ball, or at least is definitely back in the team,” Lee told Fox Sports.

Boland’s appearance in Adelaide marked his first Test in 18 months, with his last outing coming during the third Ashes Test in 2022. Despite the long hiatus, the pacer delivered a stellar performance, taking crucial wickets of Shubman Gill and Indian captain Rohit Sharma in the first innings. He followed it up in the second innings by dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Mohammad Siraj.

Boland’s five wickets came at a crucial juncture for Australia, helping them level the series at 1-1. Hazlewood had also made a strong start to the series, claiming five wickets in the opening Test at Perth, including four in India’s first innings.

“It’s unfortunate for Scott Boland because when he’s had his opportunity, he’s nailed it. I look at Scott Boland and I probably think he’s a bit like MacGill playing in the Warne era. MacGill took 200 Test wickets bowling when Shane Warne was either injured or out for other reasons. So he was a quality, quality bowler,” Lee said.

Lee further highlighted that Boland would likely be a mainstay in any other Test side around the world. “Boland could be in any team around the world. Any playing nation. But unfortunately, when you’ve got Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood, they’re still doing the business, and they’re in his way at the moment. It’s nothing against Boland because he’s bowled the house down.”

Agencies