Cricket World Cup: Josh Hazlewood set to lose place to pat Cummins for Australia’s clash with New Zealand

JOSH Hazlewood is struggling to hold his cherished place in Australia’s starting World Cup XI following a strong push for Pat Cummins.

Josh Hazlewood during Australian training at Eden Park ahead of their ICC Cricket World Cup match against New Zealand in Auckland. pic. Phil Hillyard

JOSH Hazlewood is struggling to hold his cherished place in Australia’s starting World Cup XI following a strong selection room push for electric star Pat Cummins.

It’s known Hazlewood would have certainly been dropped from the washed out clash against Bangladesh last week in Brisbane, and he faces another uphill battle for the same reasons ahead of the blockbuster against New Zealand.

Hazlewood was sacked after failing to impress in the tournament opener against England, and although the new surrounds in Auckland give undecided selectors a chance to change their minds again, it would seem Cummins may still have his nose in front in the ultra-competitive race for the final position in the attack.

It’s clear Australia want a look at Cummins sooner rather than later, and after Cyclone Marcia robbed them of their chance last week, a huge game in front of 40,000 fans may present the perfect opportunity to see what he’s made of.

Cummins brings high-velocity 150km/h pace and change-up ability at the death, two things Hazlewood doesn’t, although the line from the Australian camp is that the pair are in a “horses for courses” battle from one game to the next.

With bowling coach Craig McDermott expecting Eden Park to offer good pace and carry, there appears little reason not to unleash Cummins — unless they are worried he might go for too many runs at the tiny venue.

Josh Hazlewood and Craig McDermott during Australian training at Eden Park. Pic Phil Hillyard.

Another factor that could swing the ledger back in Hazlewood’s favour is if selectors feel the ball will swing for long periods — something McDermott is uncertain about.

A final decision will be made today by Darren Lehmann and selector Mark Waugh, who arrived in Auckland late yesterday, but McDermott says the fierce competitiveness can only boost Australia’s chances.

“Patty’s probably a bit quicker and he’s probably got a few more change-ups from a variation point of view than Josh,” said McDermott.

“Josh probably didn’t start the best he could have started (against England).

“… He probably just fell off the ball and pushed the ball into middle and leg which is not his go.

“He knows that and we’ve been working on that and he’s going really well.

“But the selectors will sort that out over the next 48 hours, who will get a Guernsey or not.

“They’ve done a magnificent job. They’ve trained the house down and they’ve both been disappointed when they’ve both missed out in either game.

“So they should be, we’re in a World Cup.”

Pace battery: Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc.

After playing in the tri-series final against England, Hazlewood was confident he was the first choice-option to partner Mitchell’s Johnson and Starc in the World Cup.

He was right, but Cummins is seen as a superstar in the making and there was always going to be pressure on Hazlewood to aim up or face the consequences.

Certainly yesterday Hazlewood was less confident about his place in the pecking order, and he even admitted it’s Cummins who has more experience bowling at smaller grounds like Eden Park — given his stint at ANZ Stadium with the Sydney Thunder.

“I’ve played a few games (at ANZ), not as much as some other guys like Patty Cummins. You’ve just got to get used to it,” he said.

“I’m not sure yet (whether I’m getting a game).

“We’ve got a lot of competition for spots with the quicks and all-rounders.

“We’re going to pick the best XI, bring the conditions in and see what suits different bowlers.

“We’ve got the four quicks here. Patty’s bowling brilliantly at the moment.”

George Bailey will all but certainly make way for returning captain Michael Clarke.

Although this could be final chance for under-pressure all-rounder Shane Watson to perform at No. 3, with Faulkner edging ever closer to a return.

The 55m straight boundaries have bowlers sweating bullets at Eden Park, but McDermott said the key to executing was to not over think the dimensions.

And McDermott should know, he played at Eden Park the last time the World Cup was held in Australasia back in 1992 — when Australia went down to New Zealand.

“The margin for error on full stuff is the same on every ground. You’ve got big bats and they can hit it just as far,” he said.

“It’s a small ground but because the stands go up so quickly everything is on top of you and it feels smaller.”

Likely Australian team: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (capt), Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins.