Josh Hazlewood wants Australia plan for Joe Root in Ashes
Wednesday 8 July 2015 22:09, UK
Australia seamer Josh Hazlewood admits the tourists will have to come up with a plan to counter Joe Root if they are to enjoy success in The Investec Ashes this summer.
The Yorkshire batsman was the star of the show on the opening day of the first Test in Cardiff, surviving a shaky start to hit a fine 134 as England finished on 343-7 having at one stage been reduced to 43-3.
Ashes debutant Hazlewood, who removed Adam Lyth, Gary Ballance and Jos Buttler to claim figures of 3-70 from 22 overs, told Sky Sports: "I was pretty nervous but excited and was happy with how I went; the game is fairly level at this stage. Hopefully we can clean them up in the morning.
"We were good in patches. We kept it tight for periods but we leaked a few runs which let the pressure off but hopefully we can work on that. When Root was batting he played fantastically well and we need to find a plan for him.
"The wicket is quite slow and nullifies the short stuff but we tried to keep it full and swinging. The Duke ball is good fun - if you get it in the right areas there is always something there. If they get 40 or 50 more I think that's about par for them.
"We have to be adaptable as bowlers. I do like to bowl long spells but more often than not Michael Clarke is spot on with his calls and if he thinks you're not up to pace he'll pull you off and bring someone else on. He's more often right than wrong."
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