Ashes 2023, 1st Test: Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood calls for adaptation to ‘new ashes’

It was the Bazball approach from England which saw them scoring quick runs throughout the day as they raced to 393 for eight before a surprise declaration late in the evening session. Australian skipper Pat Cummins had to deploy a defensive field to stop the run flow.

While Australia would probably have taken the total after losing the toss and bowling in serene batting conditions, the speed at which England made their runs may have bruised some egos along the way.

The Australian bowlers were taken apart as the likes of Pat Cummins and Scott Boland went for plenty. Nathan Lyon, the off-spinner who did extremely well in the WTC Final, picked up 4 wickets yet again but conceded 149 runs in his 29 overs.

Hazlewood fared best of all in terms of bowling economy with two for 61 from 15 overs but admitted England’s attempts to force the game represented uncharted territory.

“We’ve got to start to look at things differently, not so much at strike rates and economies and things like that. It’s just about wicket and the score,” he said.

“We’ve taken eight for just under 400 and you’d take that on this wicket, whether it takes 80 overs or 160. It’s the same score. If we can keep it as simple as that it will go a long way to wrap our heads around the new Ashes. We’ll keep learning but it’s a good start.”

Hazlewood at one stage hinted Australia were content with England’s scoring rate, suggesting they had to get into a defensive mode to curb the scoring rate.

“There was a lot more ones out there probably but if we shut down the boundaries, then the score doesn’t really go through the roof at seven or eight (an over),” he said.

“If we can keep it at five an over and keep taking wickets throughout the day, that somewhat keeps things in check,” the Aussie pacer added.

Hazlewood also showed his pleasure as Australia safely ended the day without losing a wicket as David Warner and Usman Khawaja negated England captain Ben Stokes’ declaration gambit by safely reaching 14 without loss at the end of the day’s play.

“They’re at 390 and we’re none-for, so it’s pretty even I’d say,” he said.

Earlier England had posted 393 for 8 and then declared despite an unbeaten Joe Root at the crease. Root scored his 30th Test century in style and Jonny Bairstow (78 off 78 balls), Zaw Crawley (61 off 73 balls) also played fantastic hands.