John Hastings finds his niche ahead of cricket World Cup
John Hastings, Australia’s newest all-rounder is bracing himself to take on the role of an international player as he reckons that he will be the key for Australia’s World Cup defence in the sub-continent next month.
“The wickets are lower and slower (in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750), so you have to mix your pace up a little bit, and that’s why I think I have been brought into the team”, Hastings stated.
The 25-year old right-handed batsman stated that even though he is not a regular on the international scene, his experience on sub-continent pitches will be helpful for Australia’s World Cup campaign.
Hastings said that he made his international debut in India and the massive crowds there always help him to strive for better performances.
India will be sharing the hosting rights of the World Cup 2011, along with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747. Even though teams the world over are relying on players, who have developed themselves on the international stage, Australia is relying on the giant all-rounder,
who is comparatively new on the scene.
However, Hastings appeared confident after contributing to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746’s bid to win the seven-match One Day series against England.
He helped Brett Lee and Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 dismiss England for just 198 runs in 45.3 overs at Brisbane on Sunday. Australia soared to victory in the fifth One Day match by 51 runs, winning the seven-match series 4-1.
Hastings and Steven Smith (1 for 29) effectively shut down England’s chase of 249 runs. The explosive pair was responsible for slamming England’s strong middle-order when they claimed Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell and Eion Morgan’s wickets in a span of just
eight runs. England was reeling on 105 for the loss of six wickets and Australia’s win seemed inevitable.
The Victorian all-rounder especially showed immense potential in the absence of Shaun Tait, who is nursing a thigh strain. However, Hastings is eyeing a World Cup berth after steadily moving towards a top-order boost.
The tall all-rounder enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2009-10 as he was Victoria’s leading wicket-taker in all three formats of cricket. He raked in 36 wickets at an average of 26.13 and smashed 446 runs at an average of 37.16 at the Sheffield Shield matches.
Yet, the intimidating player has appeared in just five ODIs and one international Twenty20.
However, the former rugby player was sure that his batting background will help him in the long-run. He was a batsman as a junior in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-South-Wales-c823 but conceded that he can “Come in at Number 8 and contribute. My batting is probably not there at the moment,
but I’ve got to play my role as best I can”, he stated.
Tags: