Josh Hazlewood praises Mohammad Amir, Pakistan

26-year-old says visitors used spinners well to tighten screws on run-scoring

Australia right-arm paceman Josh Hazlewood on Tuesday said that Pakistan bowled well in the first two ODIs, especially their left-arm fast-bowler Mohammad Amir.

Australia’s top-order suffered collapses in both ODIs in Sydney and Melbourne, losing early wickets which prevented the hosts from setting mammoth targets.

"I think it's just good bowling first of all,” said Hazlewood. “The two left-armers at the top have bowled pretty well in both games, especially Amir in the first game. Then they've tightened the screws with their spinners.”

The 26-year-old added that Australia are coming up with a plan to end Pakistan’s dominance of their top-order.

"We've been working on that and coming up with a plan,” he said. “Each batter is a little bit different with their own plans. They'll definitely be looking to rectify the first two games on Thursday."

The New South Wales bowler also talked about the third game in Perth, which he said would offer more bounce and pace to the Australian quicks.

"We always love playing over here in Perth,” said Hazlewood. “The guys said it wasn't a traditional Gabba wicket. They said it didn't have as its usual pace. It will be good to get out there and see the ball fly through.”

Hazlewood knows Pakistan batsmen aren't usually comfortable with extra bounce and pace. "We know they've got a couple of good quicks," he said. "But we know their batters don't like that extra bounce and pace. Hopefully it's nice and quick."

Josh Hazlewood was quoted by The Age