De Villiers toughest batsman to bowl against: Josh Hazlewood

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood feels South African swashbuckler A B de Villiers will be the toughest batsman to bowl against given his compact technique and ability to score with innovative strokes.

“He can really dominate to a great extent in the first six overs. Even at the end, he can dominate. Every team has a few. Practice bowling against our top six here,” the tall Aussie pacer said.

“I think variation would be the key. One can get predictable.James Faulkner has different variation and is very good at it, 3 or 4. I am trying to talk to them and learn variations.”

Often compared with the legendary Australian quickie Glenn McGrath, Hazlewood said he takes it as a compliment.

“Being mentioned in the same article, same story as Glenn is quite flattering really. But I’ve not much work with him except at the MRF academy for one year probably four years ago.

“I’ve spoken to him a few times around the grounds at different times. Guess what I liked is how he went about his business when I was young watching cricket in Australia.

Thought that was the best way of going about the task was tying up one end and building pressure.