Image Credit- Getty
This men’s World Cup has seen more battering of the
new ball than any previous one. This World Cup has cost teams a good six runs
more in the first powerplay than the next highest World Cup for batting against
the new ball, with an average of 5.42 runs per over (prior to Pakistan vs South
Africa).
The ball has swung and seamed more on average than it
did during the previous World Cup, which makes it great. It hasn’t done as well
as it did at the beginning of the year, though. Maybe the batters are just
trying to make the most of the new ball before it gets scratched up, or maybe
they are just glad after what they have been facing for the last little while.
For whatever reason, the truly exceptional bowlers
have a chance to shine. The second-most economical bowler among those who have
bowled at least ten overs during the powerplay is a bowler who was not regarded
as a limited-overs bowler until recently. Josh Hazlewood did not compete in the
IPL auctions and did not play in the 2019 ODI World Cup. With the new ball, he
is currently averaging 21.75 and is scoring at a rate of 4.35 an over. Jasprit
Bumrah is averaging 29 and hitting at an astounding 2.9 an over.
Either Hazlewood’s workload was controlled, or in
formats where changes were all the rage, many perceived him as being too
predictable because of his consistency. Hazlewood has become the face of the
banker bowling movement again because of his consistency and predictability,
regardless of the purpose behind it all back then. It’s a good era when a
bowler who can place the ball where he wants is rewarded. This type of bowler
rarely has a bad day out and nearly always maintains an economy better than the
usual rate rather than taking wickets by the truckload.
Despite getting the new ball in this World Cup,
Hazlewood has been smashing the tough lengths, which can be challenging given
his height. Approximately 70% of Hazlewood’s deliveries have been in the hard
length band. He has bowled one bouncer for every five of those stock balls.
Similar to Bumrah, Hazlewood has drawn a false answer
every four balls. Hazlewood has been most efficient when he has reached the
fuller side of the hard length. He has taken half of his six wickets at an
average of 3.49 an over, drawing a false response every three balls. But far
too often, he has refused to go to the well.
at a day game, you may anticipate Hazlewood to settle
more inside the six-to seven-meter area at Dharamsala, one of the three
locations with encouraging swing and seam movement. Bowlers like him and Bumrah
are amazing because they can bowl more aggressively without overpitching. They
may search, but you won’t expect half-volleys from them.
The law of averages suggests that a match like this is
not too far off, so even if Hazlewood ends up with a lot of wickets in the
process, he will have earned it.