Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood answers reader questions

Aussie superstar Josh Hazlewood has named India’s No.1 batting threat — and it’s not Virat Kohli. See all his answers here.

Aussie paceman Josh Hazlewood. Picture: AAP

Star Aussie seamer Josh Hazlewood says resolute Indian No.3 Cheteshwar Pujara is the batsman who worries the Aussies most — even more than Virat Kohli.

Kohli will depart Australia after the First Test for the birth of his first child, leaving the Indians a monumental task.

But Hazlewood, in an exclusive live Q&A with NewsCorp readers, says Pujara is the Aussies’ No.1 target.

“I’d probably say him (Pujara) before Kohli anyway, to be honest,” Hazlewood said when asked whose wicket the Aussies’ most prized without Virat.

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“He’s the old school Test batter — he bats time and scores runs.

“He frees up their middle order to play more aggressive when bowlers are tired and the field opens up.”

Pujara was the key man in the Indians’ historic 2018-19 Test series win — their first on Australian soil — crunching three centuries, including 193 not out in the decisive fourth Test and winning man of the series with 521 runs at 74.42.

Hazlewood, though, is primed for the task as he closes in on 200 Test wickets for Australia.

The NSW-born gun said he was flattered by comparison’s to legendary seamer Glenn McGrath.

“(It’s) a huge compliment,” he said.

“Out of anyone you can be compared to, it’s good to be McGrath.

“That’s how I’ve always thought about it.”

Replay Josh Hazlewood’s live chat below and join the live Q&A with Nathan Lyon from 2pm Thursday AEDT.