Josh Hazlewood picks Gabba as alternate if COVID-19 forces Australia-India pink-ball Test out of Adelaide

Josh Hazlewood: The Australian fast bowler hopes to get done with the Adelaide Test match against India in December itself.

Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has spoken highly of Adelaide Oval pitch curator Damian Hough for having it in him to prepare an apt pitch for pink-ball Test matches.

“He [curator Damian Hough] has got the wicket perfect at Adelaide for a pink-ball Test. A few grounds around Australia are too abrasive or too hard, such as the Gabba or Perth. Those wickets are too hard for a pink ball, it goes quite soft after a certain amount of time,” Hazlewood was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

Originally scheduled to kick-start the Test series from December 17, the pink-ball Test match between Australia and India is under the spotlight due to the sudden COVID-19 outbreak in Adelaide. The same has forced the authorities to impose a strict lockdown for six days in South Australia.

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While Cricket Australia has ensured of the match being unaffected by the virus as of now, the situation will doubtlessly be closely monitored in the next three weeks as the players are slated to reach Adelaide on December 9.

Josh Hazlewood picks Gabba as alternate if COVID-19 forces Australia-India Test out of Adelaide

Coming on the back of representing Chennai Super Kings in three matches during his maiden Indian Premier League season, the 29-year old player suggested to play red-ball Test matches before the pink-ball one in Adelaide especially if the pandemic forces CA to tinker with the schedule.

“Could be red ball [first Test in] Melbourne or Brisbane or somewhere, then we head back to Adelaide later on in the summer. From all reports, we’re still good for Adelaide but it can always change. Hopefully, they can get on top of it in the next week or two,” Hazlewood added.

Being asked about an alternative venue for the pink-ball Test match, Hazlewood ended up picking Gabba in Brisbane primarily due to weather-related reason. As of now, Brisbane will host the fourth Test match between Australia and India from January 15.

“The longer we wait the hotter it gets up there, so the quicks would all be happy to get that game done in December. We obviously have a really good record up there and it’s a great place to start,” Hazlewood mentioned.

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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