Mike Hussey's Left-Field Pick For World's Best Bowler

"They have no answer for him"


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Pink ball specialist?

How about world's best bowler?

Ex-Test batsman Mike Hussey has hailed Josh Hazlewood as cricket's No.1 quick after skittling Pakistan in the day-night first Test in Brisbane.

Plenty has been said about the swinging pink ball under lights on a lively Gabba deck after Pakistan, at one stage, had been reeling on Friday night at 8-67.

Hazlewood (3-22 off 14 overs) helped Australia bowl Pakistan out for 142 on Saturday - 287 shy of the hosts' first innings.

But Hussey believed all credit must go to Hazlewood's "underrated" bowling after he tore the heart out of Pakistan.

Hazlewood was on a hat-trick after he dismissed Pakistan dangerman Younis Khan first ball.

"He's got to be up there as the No.1 bowler in the world at the moment," Hussey told Fox Sports.

"He's underrated, I think.

"He's world No.5 at moment but his form at the moment is outstanding.

"They have no answer for him.

"It's a nightmare to face him."

Hazlewood has made a name for himself with the pink ball after taking 15 wickets at 16.33 in the two day-night Tests in Australia to date.

And he maintained his Midas touch in Brisbane, as Pakistan lost seven wickets in Friday's evening session.

But ex-Test quick Ryan Harris believed it was short-changing Hazlewood by pigeon-holing him with the pink ball.

Harris predicted Hazlewood would threaten to enter the 400 Test wicket club with his form.

"There's going to be a lot more wickets for Josh Hazlewood," Harris says of the Aussie quick who has 97 wickets at 25.05 in his 24th Test.

"If he stays fit and well, who knows how far he can go - 300, 400 Test wickets?"

Hazlewood, 25, did his best to act like the world's No.1 quick on Friday night by ditching his unassuming nature and unleashing a bouncer barrage.

Twice, he struck Pakistan batsman Sami Aslam on the helmet.

"I think he surprised them with his body bashing," ex-Test 'keeper Ian Healy told the Nine Network on Saturday.

"I think they thought he would bowl more full."

Harris said Hazlewood's bowling - not the pink ball - was Pakistan's downfall at the Gabba.

"I have read about how the pink ball is misbehaving," he told Fox Sports.

"I don't think it did that much. I think it was just really good bowling.

"Everyone is looking for an excuse - especially Pakistan."

Australia didn't lose a wicket and piled on 106 runs batting under lights on Thursday night.

On Friday night, Pakistan lost 7-77.

- AAP

17 December 2016




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