Ashes 2019: Josh Hazlewood Credits Revamped Bowling Action for His Rise to the Top

Australia speedster Josh Hazlewood shared that a small change in his bowling action has helped him immensely in the ongoing Ashes series. This was after he completed Day 3 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford with a figure of 4-48 from 20 overs.

“I feel like I made a few little changes after my last injury and everything is in a great line, if that makes sense. I find it not easy, but if I get everything right at my end, the right line is on off stump or just outside it,” Josh Hazlewood told the reporters after the game.

Hazlewood’s back injury ruled him out of the ICC World Cup campaign but he recovered well before the Ashes and the patience is now paying off.

“I think am bowling a lot less deliveries wide of off (stump) and on the pads due to my action. It’s only a little change but I have worked hard on it over March, April, even into May. I did some good work at home and reaping the benefits now,” he shared.

Josh Hazlewood praised his fellow pacer Pat Cummins, whose spell consistently troubled both Joe Root and Rory Burns in the game. He said Cummins is a great athlete but injuries troubled him in his career.

“As a power and strength athlete, he’s fantastic and he’s got great endurance as well. He’s pretty much the all-round package. It’s pretty disheartening as well sometimes, to see (him) running all day. He’s such a great athlete and I just hope it continues for him,” added Hazlewood.

Ashes series is currently on 1-1 where Australia won the first test by a whopping 251 runs. While the second one ended in a draw, England registered a nail-biting one-wicket win in the third game on the back of Ben Stokes‘ stunning unbeaten century. However, Australia need only one win to retain the Ashes.

As far as the fourth Ashes concern, England put up 200 runs for 5 before the stumps on the Day 3.