Josh Hazlewood has warned England that their request for "fast, flat" wickets could play straight into Australia’s hands, as the final verbal jabs are thrown before the Ashes begin on Friday.
Both teams were training at Edgbaston on Wednesday, with less than 48 hours to go until England start their quest to regain the Urn, while Australia are chasing a first series win here since 2001, having already claimed the World Test Championship at the Kia Oval last weekend.
In April, Stokes announced his wish for flat pitches that would play to his side’s new-found strength of rapid scoring, which was demonstrated again on a lifeless deck at Lord’s earlier this month, as England made 524 for four declared at quicker than a run-a-ball in their sole Ashes warm-up against
Ireland.Australia’s attack, however, promises to provide a sterner challenge, while England’s — missing express pace options Jofra Archer and Olly Stone, as well as first-choice spinner Jack Leach — will have their work cut out against the likes of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne should the surface offer little assistance.
The tourists’ struggles against the moving ball have been one of England’s major strengths in recent home Ashes. By contrast, England have not won a Test Down Under, where pitches tend to be flatter and faster, since 2011, and Hazlewood believes Stokes’s plan could backfire.
"It surprised me," Hazlewood said. "If I am England, I am probably going the opposite way. You are probably going green wickets that are doing a fair bit, and then back yourself to make more runs than us on those types of wickets. They come to Australia and the wickets are harder, flatter and faster. And we’ve seen the results."
Hazlewood has declared himself fit for the series opener, having missed the WTC victory over India with side and Achilles injuries, but faces a fight to win back his place after a superb display from Scott Boland.
Pat Cummins, as captain, is certain to play, meaning Hazlewood will have to displace either Boland or Mitchell Starc, who was expensive against India but offers a point of difference with his left-arm pace.
Having started the series on the bench, Hazlewood was sensational in the last Ashes in England in 2019, taking 20 wickets at 21.85, but after a raft of fitness problems that have seen the seamer play just four Tests in almost two-and-a-half years, he accepts rotation this summer is inevitable.
"If we go back a few years, I would have said [I expected to play] all [the Tests]," he added. "But I guess it’s a little bit different now, based on the last two years of history.
"I think three would be a nice pass and four is probably a tick. Any more than that is great. Any less, then I am probably a little disappointed again."
England, meanwhile, are weighing up the make-up of their own seam attack, with Stuart Broad and Mark Wood seemingly tussling for the final place alongside James Anderson and Ollie Robinson.
