Australia vs England: He is one of the best in ODIs, Mitchell Starc heaps praise on Josh Hazelwood
Australia pacer Mitchell Starc has heaped praise on captain of-the-day Josh Hazelwood, calling him one of the best bowlers in one-day internationals. Australia beat England by 72 runs in the second ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Australia pacer Mitchell Starc has heaped praise on captain of-the-day Josh Hazelwood, calling him one of the best bowlers in one-day internationals. Australia beat England by 72 runs in the second ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Speaking after the game, Starc said Hazelwood is one of the best bowlers in the 50-over format and showed why he is so highly regarded.
“We saw through the first innings, the wicket was slow, we needed to be accurate, he is one of the best in this format and he showed as to why he's so highly regarded,” said Starc.
The left-arm pacer also showered praise on spinner Adam Zampa, saying he is very clinical in pressure situations for Australia.
“He's so clinical in pressure situations, brings up back into the game time and again, it was nice for him to snare 4 wickets, he's been so wonderful for us,” Starc added.
Earlier, after electing to bat first, Australia scored 280 for the loss of eight wickets on the back of Steve Smith’s 114-ball 94 with the help of five fours and one six. Steve Smith scored an unbeaten 80 in the first match and carried his form in Sydney. He also became the ninth Australian batter to complete 14000 runs in international cricket. Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh also chipped in with half-centuries as Australia put up 280/8 on the board.
After being asked to chase 281, England were cruising at one stage courtesy of James Vince and Sam Billings. The duo put on 122 runs for the fourth wicket after the Three Lions lost the early wickets of Jason Roy, Phil Salt and Dawid Malan. Salt blazed away to a 16-ball 23 before Josh Hazlewood, who stood in for Pat Cummins, accounted for his wicket. England lost their last seven wickets for 52 runs in the space of 11 overs.
Zampa was among the pick of the Aussie bowlers after he finished with figures of 9.5-1-45-4. Mitchell Starc gave Australia their first break and was also excellent at the death. The left-armer picked up four crucial wickets as England were bowled out for 208 in 38.5 overs.