Besides, Hazlewood, Starc and Jackson Bird, Mitch Marsh is the only other option for pace. And with Indian pitches set to favour spinners, Steve Smith might play only two fast bowlers in each of the Tests. “We don’t all have that luxury. But we’ve got to find a way to be successful as a group of quicks, as well as with the spinners,” Hazlewood said. Australia have not won a Test in India since 2004 and their last series victory in Asia came against Sri Lanka in 2011. They have since suffered nine straight Test losses in the subcontinent.
Earlier, Steve O’Keefe backed Australian opener Matthew Renshaw for a successful tour of India, which begins on February 23 with the first Test slated at Pune. Renshaw, who made his Test debut recently against South Africa, impressed with a splendid 184 in the third and final Test against Pakistan.
