Josh Hazlewood has confirmed he’s nonetheless one among Australia’s key tempo bowlers with an important four-wicket haul on his Take a look at return in opposition to South Africa.
For a second consecutive summer season, Hazlewood has been hampered by a aspect pressure and admitted final week he was an opportunity of being neglected for the Sydney Take a look at after Scott Boland impressed in his absence.
However with figures of 4-48 within the first innings, Hazlewood allayed any considerations about his place within the Australian bowling unit’s pecking order.
On his 32nd birthday, the towering paceman single-handedly pegged South Africa again after their most convincing session of the summer season and within the course of stored Australia’s hopes of victory alive.
The Proteas fell to 6-149 at stumps on day 4 on the SCG however on day 5, specialist bowlers Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer staged a comeback because the pitch didn’t favor spin as a lot as predicted.
Specialist tweakers Ashton Agar and Nathan Lyon went by means of the morning session with out success, with part-time spinner Travis Head claiming the lone wicket of a dour session.
However simply as time gave the impression to be working out for Australia, Hazlewood dismissed the one two batters who appeared able to serving to South Africa put up a rating ok to keep away from the follow-on and subsequently all however finish Australia’s hopes of a collection sweep.
Hazlewood first trapped Maharaj (53) lbw with a size ball that swung in.
The job was not carried out as Harmer, taking part in his first Take a look at of the summer season, knocked his strategy to the longest innings by a Proteas batter up to now this tour and appeared on the cusp of a maiden Take a look at half-century.
After inconclusive DRS opinions robbed Lyon of two wickets, Hazlewood stepped up along with his most imperious supply of the innings.
Harmer (47) tried to dam Hazlewood’s size ball, which bounced from exterior off-stump and into the wicket. The Proteas had been all out for 255 simply six balls later.
