'Young pacer need to step up with Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood in their 30s': McGrath
New Delhi, June 9
Former Australian great Glenn McGrath has urged the Australian young pacers to make the best use of the opportunities they get as the legendary trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc move into later stages of their career.
McGrath believes that Australia has a promising crop of young fast bowlers waiting in the wings, but stressed that the next generation will need to seize the opportunities that come their way.
"Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins are all in their mid-to-late thirties, aren't they? You wonder how long they can go," McGrath said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
The legendary pacer noted that Australia faces an important transition period, particularly with an Ashes series in England on the horizon.
"I look at it from an Australian perspective in Test cricket. The Ashes is coming up next year in England, and Australia have not won an Ashes in England outright since 2001. Hopefully, there's incentive for the boys to keep going, but there's going to be that turnover," he said.
McGrath pointed to several young fast bowlers who could emerge as long-term successors to the experienced trio.
"There's a few coming through at the moment. The Pakistan tours before and after the World T20 didn't go to plan, but I think there's opportunity for quite a few young guys at the moment. Guys like Spencer Johnson have some real pace, but whether they've had enough opportunity? I know Nathan Ellis has been for a while and Xavier Bartlett; they are the next level in white-ball cricket," he said.
McGrath also highlighted the depth available in Australia's domestic system, naming Will Sutherland, Jack Edwards and Brendan Doggett among the players pushing for higher honours.
"You've also got Will Sutherland, Jack Edwards and Brendan Doggett. Plenty of young guys there, but we'll wait and see if someone really puts their hands up," he added.
The former fast bowler credited Australia's Sheffield Shield competition for producing quality talent and believes strong performances at the domestic level will determine who earns a place in the national setup.
"A lot of it comes back to Shield cricket, I think. I don't know their exact stats in Shield cricket, but state cricket in Australia is quite competitive. South Australia have won back-to-back, and a couple of their guys have done well. There's going to be opportunities out there, and we'll see once they get there," McGrath said.
Meanwhile, the fitness and depth of Australia's pace resources will be tested over the crucial next 14 months with at least 20 Tests on the schedule.
— IANS
Reader Comments
McGrath's point about Shield cricket is spot on. Indian fans know how important domestic structure is. But I think Australia's fast bowling conveyor belt is unmatched. Even if Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood go, they'll produce someone like Lance Morris or Spencer Johnson who can bowl 150+ kph. Makes me jealous as a cricket lover! 😅
Interesting that McGrath didn't mention Lance Morris or Jhye Richardson. Both have had injury issues but Morris is genuinely express pace. As an Indian fan who watches a lot of Australian domestic cricket, I think Xavier Bartlett is the most underrated - superb accuracy and late swing. But transitioning from white-ball to Test cricket is a huge jump.
As an Australian living in India, I half agree with McGrath. The young guys are promising but replacing the GOAT trio is impossible. Look at India after Zaheer - it took years to find a consistent left-armer. Spencer Johnson has raw pace but needs to play more red-ball cricket. I'm worried about the Ashes next year. Australia hasn't won there since 2001 for a reason!
McGrath is right about one thing - Australia's domestic system is robust. But I feel he's being a bit generous with some names. Will Sutherland hasn't quite delivered on his potential yet, and Jack Edwards is more of a batting all-rounder. Brendan Doggett is interesting though - tall, hits the deck hard. That's the kind of bowler who can succeed in England for the Ashes. 🤔
I think McGrath is spot on
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