Sydney, Nov 30 - Legendary New Zealand fast bowler Richard Hadlee says the current crop of fast bowlers are getting injured frequently because of their bowling style in ODIS.

Hadlee feels the bowlers are more prone to injuries when they bowl wide from the crease and that usually happens in One-day or T20 cricket.

"If you are what I call a classical outswing or leg cutter bowler, getting in close to the stumps - which you do more in the longer version of the game bowling wicket to wicket - well, biomechanically, you are going to be more efficient," Hadlee was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday.

"But once you get into one-day cricket, particularly when you are bowling in the death overs, you are bowling wide of the crease. You tend to open up a little bit and force the ball in to middle and middle and leg. You are putting a different stress on the body and that may take its toll and cause a reaction."

New Zealand face an injury-plagued Australia in the first Test at Brisbane starting Thursday. The home team will be taking the field without Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, teenager Patrick Cummins and all-rounder Shane Watson.

Hadlee, who took 431 Test wickets in 86 Tests, says Australia will be tested in the absence of their premier bowlers and New Zealand should be optimistic about their chances in the two-match series.

"Perhaps now, they (Australia) are going to be tested. There is no question about that," he said.

On New Zealand's chances, Hadlee added: "We go in with a lot more confidence than we had a month ago and we could give Australia a run for their money."(IANS)