Ashes 2023: Pat Cummins will learn much from Manchester horror show

Josh Hazlewood is not ashamed to admit he’s hoping for rain to save Australia’s Ashes blushes after a day in which captain Pat Cummins couldn’t take a trick.

Josh Hazlewood has defended the way Australia bowled to Jonny Bairstow and Jimmy Anderson during England’s 10th wicket stand on Friday while conceding that the tourists would be happy with any rain that comes over the next couple of days.

The Aussies staggered to 4-113 in their second innings at stumps on day three, still needing another 162 runs to make England bat again.

However forecast rain over the weekend could come to Australia’s rescue, with a draw at Old Trafford enough to ensure the Aussies retain the Ashes.

Hazlewood said he would gladly see the heavens open.

Australia's Pat Cummins has copped criticism after England dominated on Day Three of the Test. Picture: AFP

“I’d be very pleased. It’s obviously forecast and forecasts can change all the time. Obviously rain and light plays a big part in cricket and has done forever,” Hazlewood said.

“So yeah, it’d be great to lose a few overs here and there and make our job a little easier of hanging in there. Yeah it’s pretty obvious.”

The tourists had already been on the back foot heading into day three but allowed England to add more than 200 runs on Friday, including 66 inside eight overs for the final wicket as Bairstow charged to an unbeaten 99.

However Hazlewood said he thought the Aussies had handled the pair “reasonably well.”

“Once you get that far into the innings, I think it’s pretty clear how the batsman is going to play with the number 11,” Hazlewood said.

“You know, it’s just trying to limit his scoring and, and try different things to try and I guess to keep you know, with two balls or one ball left keeping the tailender on strike for next over, things like that, so I thought we did reasonably well.

“Bairstow had some incredible shots there at the end. So credit to him.”

Hazlewood meanwhile said Pat Cummins would be a better captain for the way the England innings unfolded. It was a horror show for Cummins who in addition to the team’s woes had figures of 1-129 – his most expensive in Test cricket – while also dropping a catch and losing another one in the air.

Josh Hazlewood takes a catch to dismiss England's Stuart Broad. Picture: AFP

“It’s a good learning experience. He hasn’t been captain for a long period of time and we’ve probably had the better rub of the green for the whole period, he’s been captain, for most of it actually,” Hazlewood said.

“So yeah, again, learning experience and he’ll no doubt sit down with the coaches and go through a few things. But he’s a very quick learner. And yeah, hopefully doesn’t happen again. But he again, in those positions is still very calm. It’s very much we’ll do this plan for now and see how that goes. And then we’ll change plans and it’s nothing flustered at any stages.”