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Josh Hazlewood confident of stepping up for Mitchell Starc

by Alastair Symondson Saturday 28 November 2015

Josh Hazlewood reached a milestone of 50 Test wickets on day two of the third Test against New Zealand in Adelaide.

©REUTERS / Action Images

Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood said that he was confident of taking up the responsibility in the absence of the injured Mitchell Starc in the remainder of the third Test against New Zealand in Adelaide.

Starc suffered an early stage stress fracture of his third metatarsal on his right foot which is already complicated by a long standing ankle injury.

Hazlewood was rested for precautionary measures for the now postponed Australia tour of Bangladesh and the 24-year-old feels that he has recovered completely.

"I feel good,” said Hazlewood.

“I had a little break after the Ashes, and I was going to be rested from the Bangladesh tour, so I think that time was well used.

"I recovered pretty well and was ready to go for the summer, so the body's feeling really good, better by each match."

Having taken six wickets so far in the third Test match, Hazlewood has been quite accurate with the pink ball, especially under the lights when there is some movement on offer for the fast bowlers.

Australia took five New Zealand wickets in the final session on day two and the absence of Starc was compensated by the performances from Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh.

If Starc undergoes a surgery to fix his ankle problem, he faces the probability of a lengthy lay off for the rehabilitation process.

Urging the rest of the bowling attack to step up in Starc’s absence, Hazlewood revealed that bowling with the pink ball has been a memorable experience so far.

"We're obviously going to miss (Starc) this innings, but I think everyone has the responsibility to step up a little bit and fill that gap, and I feel like I did that tonight.

"It's certainly up there (with as well as he's bowled in Test cricket).

“It's quite enjoyable bowling at night with that relatively new pink ball, and I think if you can just keep getting fresh batsmen coming in all the time and keep taking wickets, it's quite difficult to bat."

During the course of play on the second day, Hazlewood completed the landmark of 50 Test wickets in just 12 matches for Australia.