Test cricket’s most successful fast bowler Glenn McGrath says a new crew of emerging Australian pacemen have both the opportunity and the promise.
Now it’s just about consistent delivery.
Typical of the new breed is 18-year-old NSW speedster Pat Cummins, expected to make his debut for Australia as early as Friday’s Twenty20 international against South Africa in Cape Town.
McGrath admits to keeping an eye from a distance on Australia’s emerging fast bowlers, and believes the current crop – including Cummins, fellow New South Welshmen Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, and Victoria’s James Pattinson – is the most promising in years.
But he said staying clear of injury, then taking the opportunities as they come was the key to their success.
“Last year there were a lot of injury worries with fast bowlers right across this country, which I found a little bit unusual and a little bit disheartening,” McGrath told AAP.
“But if those guys can keep on the path, obviously they’ve got a lot of potential.
“I’m excited about it. When you look at the Australian team at the moment, there are opportunities.
“It’s interesting to see which of the young fellas puts his hand up and says ‘I want that position’.”
Cummins, who consistently hits 145km/h on the speed gun, and Pattinson are tipped to get their chance in the two Twenty 20 internationals against the Proteas.
McGrath said he had not seen much of Cummins in action, but his rating by Shane Watson as the equal of any talent he had seen in a decade suggested great things were in store.
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about him and it’s a big opportunity for him, so fingers crossed he’ll grab it with both hands.
“I think he’s got a great attitude and obviously he’s got good pace.”
McGrath, who took 563 Test wickets – more than any other fast bowler – heads seven sports personalities inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in Melbourne on Thursday.
Surfing champion Layne Beachley, boxer Kostya Tszyu, triathlete and ironman Greg Welch and cricketer Belinda Clark all unveiled their commemorative plaques at the National Sports Museum ahead of their official induction at the Hall of Fame function at Crown Casino on Thursday night.
Women’s basketball administrator Lorraine Landon and sportswriter Judy Joy Davies have been inducted into the Hall of Fame’s general category.
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