Tuesday 6 February 2018 11:55, UK
England batsman Dawid Malan is looking forward to the challenge of trying to outwit Australia’s new pace bowler Billy Stanlake.
The 6ft 8in paceman took 3-15 as Australia defeated New Zealand by seven wickets on the Duckworth-Lewis Method in the opening match of the Trans-Tasman tri-series, which also includes England.
Stanlake has taken his time to settle in international cricket but with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins all missing the series, the Adelaide Strikers player has been given the opportunity to impress.
He did just that in Sydney on Saturday, dismissing Colin Munro, Martin Guptill and Tom Bruce in his first eight deliveries and will look to outwit England's batsmen when the sides face each other in Hobart on Wednesday.
"You can't really miss him, he's a tall bloke," said Malan. "He looks a fantastic bowler, swings it when he pitches it up and bowls at good pace.
"I think he is going to be a challenge, but that's the excitement of playing international cricket: you get to come up against guys like that.
"For us it's about trying to put him off his game and finding ways to score off him. He might bowl exceptionally but eventually someone might get hold of him and people might work things out."
Malan spent longer than anyone in the nets on Monday but acknowledged the role technology can play in finding ways of outwitting bowlers new to the international game.
"No matter who you play against you do your preparation and everything is on offer for us," he added.
"The analyst gives out the iPads with all their bowling actions and their slower balls on. You'll listen to the analysts, watch the footage and try to find out a way to go about him.
"It's about finding little cues...how they bowl their slower balls, what they do under pressure. There's always something you can pick up."
