Josh Hazlewood has seen enough of fellow fast bowler Lance Morris to suggest the Western Australian is edging closer to a Test debut.
Key points:
- Morris is among the candidates to be included in Australia’s Test XI
- Hazlewood is impressed by the Western Australian’s pace
- Australia may opt to play two spinners in the SCG Test
Morris is among the candidates to be included in Australia’s XI to face South Africa in the third and final Test at the SCG, starting on Wednesday.
The injuries sustained by Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green mean there will be changes to Australia’s line-up, with selectors even considering taking five bowlers into the clash with the Proteas.
The SCG wicket typically lends itself to spin, but with rain forecast Australia could opt to expand its pace attack.
Hazlewood is fit again after missing three consecutive Tests due to a side strain, while Morris has received the public backing of several retired Australian players, including Mitchell Johnson.
It has been a whirlwind month for Morris, who is one of the fastest bowlers in the country.
Having never previously been included in a Test squad, Morris — nicknamed “Wild Thing” — was called in as a replacement option for the second match in the series against West Indies.
If Australia is chasing a like-for-like replacement for Starc, Morris may be the best option, with Hazlewood impressed by the 24-year-old’s speed.
“Lance obviously brings that extra pace that we probably lack with Starcy [injured],” Hazlewood told reporters in Sydney.
“Usually when you get that in a youngster, they spray them around a bit, but his accuracy is very good for that sort of pace.
“There’s quite a number of guys on my ‘not-facing list’ [in the nets] and he’s at the top of the tree.”
Hazlewood said the competition among Australia’s bowling contingent was a positive for selectors.
“Everyone’s battling everyone at the moment. It’s good to have options. We’re all a little bit different,” Hazlewood said.
Hazlewood last played in the West Indies Test series opener in Perth.
The 31-year-old has been a lock for selection in recent years as a member of the so-called “big three” quicks alongside Starc and skipper Pat Cummins, but claimed he was not yet aware whether he would play in Sydney.
“I guess that’s what happens when you miss out with injury, you give other people an opportunity and they take it,” he said.
“I think that’s how I got my first go with Ryan Harris sitting out and Peter Siddle injured.
“You get your opportunity then you put pressure on the older guys. I feel like that just comes and goes as your career goes along.
“I’d be definitely disappointed if I missed out.”
AAP/ABC