World Cup: Australia Look to Limit Brendon McCullum Damage, says Hazlewood

 

Rookie Australian paceman Josh Hazlewood has singled out Brendon McCullum as the dangerman in Saturday's key Pool A match against New Zealand, saying the minimum damage he does the better. (Complete World Cup 2015 coverage | Schedule | Points table | History | Stats)

The game is being billed as a showcase for power hitters like McCullum, Martin Guptill and Corey Anderson from the home side and Australia's Aaron Finch, David Warner and Glenn Maxwell who will all try to exploit the famously short, straight boundaries of Eden Park. (David Warner ready to tackle hostile Kiwi fans)

"A lot of the senior guys have seen McCullum do his work in the Indian Premier League so we'll have team meetings to discuss a plan (against him)," 24-year-old Hazlewood said after team practice on Thursday. (Australian team to test new helmets vs New Zealand)

McCullum is in top form with scores of 65 and 77 in two of the three New Zealand wins in the World Cup so far and is key to the home team's hopes of a big score on Saturday. (Shane Watson confronts 'crunch time')

Australia can take heart from the fact they dismissed McCullum for 24 when they played in Auckland in 2010 before they also won the second game by six wickets although on that occasion the Blacks Cap skipper made 61.

Spearhead Mitchell Johnson dismissed McCullum in the first game which Australia won by 12 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method.

Hazlewood said Australia's quicks have been preparing for a McCullum onslaught by bowling hard against their own dashers in the nets to get a feel for the peculiar demands of the venue.

"You're hoping he doesn't hit it straight back at you for starters. He's obviously a dangerous player who goes about his business differently to a lot of other openers," said Hazlewood.

"But there's no better practice than bowling to Finch and Warner who are similar players.

"McCullum at the top of order is key. We want to minimise the damage he can do. The boundaries here are a touch bigger square which we might be able to use to our advantage. It's quite short straight, but that's what happens when you come to different grounds."

Hazlewood, who has never played at Eden Park, suggested some grounds in Australia are similar.

"There are a few grounds in Australia like this such as Sydney's so you've got to get used to it."

Hazlewood, who didn't have a good World Cup opening game against England with figures of 0-45 before the scheduled second match with Bangladesh was rained off in Brisbane, is not sure of keeping his place.

"Not sure yet, it's pretty good to have lot of competition for spots at the moment with quicks and all-rounders, so we will just wait and see.

"It's obviously a big game and hopefully I'll get the nod. Both teams are flying so it's going to be a good contest," said Hazlewood, who could lose his place to Pat Cummins for Saturday's game.