In the first two innings of the first Test in Adelaide, West Indies’ batting lineup was completely destroyed by ace pacer Josh Hazlewood, as the visitors scored 188 and 120 runs, respectively. With Josh Hazlewood taking four wickets in the first innings and five in the second, the hosts defeated the Kraigg Brathwaite-led team by a comfortable margin of 10 wickets. Later, captain Pat Cummins acknowledged his genius with the ball and stressed the value of having him in the mix.
Cummins said that although the cricketer was unfortunate to miss a few important series in the previous few years owing to injury, he has since recovered to play at his peak.
He continued by saying that it was an easy decision for him to give the bowl to Josh Hazlewood in his capacity as captain because the pacer is capable of taking wickets with both the new and old ball.
“He simply missed a few important series due to injuries that occurred at the wrong time over the past few years, but he’s back to the Joshy that we all know,” the statement reads. Only demonstrates his value to the group. He can strike early and have two or three down before you realize it with the new ball. He finds a method for left- and right-handers alike, pretty much under any circumstances. “It’s pretty easy to give him the ball as a captain knowing that he will go to work,” Cummins remarked during the news conference following the game.
However, on Day 3, Usman Khawaja, the top opener, was forced off the field after being struck in the chin by a hard bouncer from Shamar Joseph. The southpaw left the field right away and is probably going to be absent from the series’ second Test in Gabba. Giving an update on his injury, Cummins said the cricket player appears well but has a bad mouth.
“He seems fine, a little sour in his jaw. The skipper said, “He’s being watched.”
The 30-year-old also mentioned that the pacers intend to play in all of the summer’s remaining Test matches against Australia. They have already participated in four Test matches and are putting in a lot of effort in the nets to play the final three.