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Hazlewood: India need a result wicket

Cape Town - Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood feels that with the pressure on India to win the series the wicket in Dharamsala will be one that will ensure a result.

While the quick would love to see a fast and bouncy wicket he conceded that with the pace attack the Baggy Green sport India are unlikely to offer seam-friendly conditions.

Traditionally Dharamsala offers a lot for quick bowlers with the curator openly a big fan of South African quick bowler Dale Steyn but there is far too much on the line for India.

Speaking after a training session in the foothills of the Himalayas Hazlewood said: “I think the way they saw Patty Cummins bowl the other day, they don’t really want it any faster than Ranchi.

“I think everyone was taken back by the way he bowled, and to get that lift and pace off the wicket like that.

“He’s a pretty special player and to bring that extra pace is what you need sometimes on these wickets to get those breakthroughs.

“Hopefully he can stay on the park and keep playing.”

Anything short of a series win will constitute failure for India who were expected to thump Australia in this series but have found the men from down under a tough nut to crack.

Several days out from the Test it remains difficult to predict how the pitch will play but Hazlewood is sure it will be a result wicket.

The seamer said: “I think the wicket will determine a result.

“They (India) need to win so the wicket they serve up will bring a result into the game.

“The pressure is firmly on them.

“We can draw it (to retain the Trophy) but we obviously want to win it, win 2-1 and win a series in India which rarely happens.”

Hazlewood and his teammates are delighted with the way they have gone toe-to-toe with a team who have been dominant at home this season.

He added: “We had that win in (the first Test at) Pune, which feels quite a while ago now, but we’ve competed for every day of Test cricket so far.

“We’re pretty excited that if we can put a couple of good days together here in Dharamsala - against a great opposition - that we can come away with a win which is something you’d never forget.

“Before we came over, they (India) were expected to win four-nil.

“The pressure is still firmly on them being one-all going into this decider."

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