Josh Hazlewood credits pitch conditions after Australia’s win over India in Melbourne

Australia's Josh Hazlewood excelled in the second T20I against India, claiming 3 wickets for 13 runs and leading his team to a four-wicket victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Hazlewood credited conditions and the toss for their success.

Australia’s fiery fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, the architect of an emphatic victory in the second T20I against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, spoke candidly about the conditions that have aided his team’s bowling attack in the ongoing series. Hazlewood’s match-winning figures of 3 wickets for 13 runs in 4 overs dismantled India’s top order and played a pivotal role in securing a four-wicket win, giving Australia a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Hazlewood accepted that winning the toss was helpful

Reflecting on the factors behind Australia’s bowling success, Hazlewood said, “I think some of the wickets have been helpful as well. We've won some good tosses, particularly somewhere like Adelaide. The wickets, you know, it's been early season... I think playing down there earlier, the wickets had a little more in them, and we've seen lower scores from time to time.”

Hazlewood highlighted that the early part of the Australian domestic season is crucial in producing pitches with more movement and assistance for seam bowlers. Such conditions provide the fast bowlers with edges and extra bounce that they can exploit to keep scoring in check and take early wickets. The bowler also mentioned Australia winning key tosses at venues like Adelaide that allowed them to capitalise on favourable conditions by choosing to bowl first and applying pressure on the opposition.

Hazlewood picked up three wickets

The pace spearhead’s comments underscore the importance of smart preparation, tactical awareness of venue conditions, and seizing toss advantages in shaping outcomes in competitive T20 fixtures. Hazlewood’s relentless accuracy and ability to harness the early-season pitch characteristics were clearly on display in Melbourne, where he swiftly claimed the wickets of Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma during a devastating early burst.

Read Also: Gill vs Jaiswal: A comparison to understand who should open for India in T20Is.

Beyond conditions, Hazlewood attributed his seamless form to continuous cricket across formats and countries, mentioning tours in New Zealand and the West Indies and the importance of staying in rhythm ahead of the upcoming Ashes Test series starting later in November. His dedication to balancing workload and building red-ball bowling fitness was evident even as he delivered bold performances in the shorter formats.

Australia won the 3rd T2OI easily

Australia’s captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and elected to field, a move that paid dividends thanks largely to Hazlewood’s brilliance. The crowd of over 82,000 witnessed a clinical performance that reduced India to 125 all out in 18.4 overs, after which Australia comfortably chased the target down with 40 balls to spare thanks to Marsh’s explosive 46 off 26 balls and Travis Head’s assured 28.

Where to watch the Australia vs India, 3rd T20I match?

Cricket fans in India can watch the Australia vs India, 3rd T20I on JioHotstar, accessible via OTTplay Premium.

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