Tom Moody Points Out A Big Difference Between India And Australia As The Hosts Clinch The ODI Series

Former Australian batsman, Tom Moody believes that Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa are the difference between Australia and India. His comments came after Australia’s 51-run victory over the visitors in the second ODI in Sydney on Sunday. With back-to-back triumphs, the hosts clinch the ODI series with one match to go.

Australia’s each of the top 5 batsmen crossed the fifty run mark, with Steve Smith registering consecutive hundreds as the Indian bowlers looked hapless against the might of the host. 4 out of India’s 5 first-choice bowlers leaked runs at more than 7 an over.

The Aussie bowlers dominated while bowling to the Indians. Every time there was a partnership building, someone would break it and not giving any chance to India. Apart from Mitchell Starc, everyone was amongst wickets.

Hazlewood is a lot quicker than people give him credit for: Tom Moody

Tom Moody has opined that the duo of Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa is the key difference between the bowling attack of the two sides. Hazlewood picked 2 big wickets of Shikhar Dhawan and a well set Virat Kohli on 89.

Moody observes that Hazlewood bowls the traditional Australian hard length and is a lot quicker than it seems. The 55-year-old is also impressed by Hazlewood’s short pitch bowling, through which he dismissed Kohli in the first ODI. The former Sri Lanka coach recognizes the speedster as the leader of this Australian pace attack in ODIs.

Talking to ESPNCricinfo, Tom Moody said, “To me, the big difference between the two teams has been Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa. Hazlewood has bowled the traditional Australian hard length which sits about 6 inches above the stumps.”

“He has bowled very straight. Hazlewood is a lot quicker than people give him credit for- he is in the 140s  – and does hit the bat very hard.  He has got a very good bouncer as well. He had been the leader of the pack for Australia from the pace bowling perspective, the former SRH coach said.

The cricketer-turned-commentator also lauded Adam Zampa for his performances in the last couple of years, especially against the men in blue. Against India, the leg-spinner has picked 24 wickets in 14 ODIs, and according to Moody, he is the unsung hero in Australia’s success in recent times.

“I think Zampa has also bowled very well and he continues to bowl well against India and in ODI cricket over the last couple of years. He is the unsung hero of this whole thing,” Moody added.

The two teams will face off once again on Wednesday in Canberra for the 3rd ODI. While Australia may have won the series, there are still 10 World Cup Super League points up for grabs.

Also Read: Steve Smith Not Far From Virat Kohli In ODI Cricket: Gautam Gambhir