A lot has been said about the Ashes and how the batting will be the downfall of the Australian team.
I’m going to try to be more positive and talk about the best hope for Australian success in the future: the pace battery.
Australia’s young bowling line-up is the only department where Australia might outplay England in the upcoming Ashes.
What makes Australia’s bowling line-up so impressive is the age of the bowlers in the squad. Apart from Harris, all are under 30 and three are under 24.
Australia’s pace battery would be equal second best in the world with England.
Australia also has great depth in its bowling ranks. There is always someone to fill in for the constant injuries.
The likes of Hazlewood, Sandhu and Cummins who are all great young fast bowlers have been left at home but will only improve over time.
Australia’s bowling department will only grow in strength over time. The retirement of Harris won’t impact too greatly as he hasn’t been fit for long enough to consider him a great asset. Peter Siddle will be replaced by younger, better bowlers before he retires.
The likes of Starc, Pattinson and Faulkner are in England gaining experience and skills in different conditions. They will be around for years to come if injury doesn’t ruin their careers.
Having all these young fast bowlers creates competition for a limited amount of spots. This will in turn increase work ethic and force players to be on top of their game at all times, as they know that if they have a bad game then their place is in doubt.
Australia might not win the Ashes, but the experience will only help them improve and Australia will come out the other side a better team.
So Roarers, will Australia hold the best bowling line-up in years to come?
Bearfax
Guest
What about Sandhu (aged 21 with first class bowling average of 25) and McDermott (aged 23 with first class bowling average of 24). The spin twins Agar and Zampa are also beginning to show their worth after a slow start, which is expected of spin bowlers
ausfanguy
Guest
if i would have to select 10 bowles for australia for future the the list would look like this:::::: James Pattinson Patrick Cummins Sean Abbott Josh Hazlewood Mitchell Starc Cameron Boyce Chadd Sayers James Muirhead Joel Paris Jason Behrendorff
Deep Thinker
Guest
Starc swings the ball - no question. The problem is that he loses a lot of control when he does it.
Brendon
Guest
Chris Rogers is from Pakistan?
Brendon
Guest
Glad to hear someone finally admit that Aussies are better than anyone else. We are pretty awesome aren't we? not to mention good looking. Thanks Disco, good on ya mate.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Agar has only just moved to WA and doesn't appear to have a problem with the wicket considering he's already taken a few wickets in his short first class career.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
It could happen in a week.
ght
Guest
England has no chance in the Ashes 4-0 win to Australia 3rd test out with rain.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
The difference between Maxwell's attitude and Faulkners attitude is Maxwell is just cocky and thinks he deserves to be there, and Faulkners attitude is out of pure determination, he puts all he can in and when something happens it all has to come out.
Nudge
Guest
You would be very very very stupid to have a problem with that.Moved to australia as a little boy,was taught the game in australia,unlike all of your South Africans. Imagine, though your team without them. Oi! Oi! Oi!
Jo M
Guest
Nick, I agree with you. Another thing that hasn't been mentioned is that even only 1 week out from his surgery he said he had more movement in his foot than in the previous 3 months. Now he has more movement than he has had in 3 years and is bowling without pain for the first time in a long time. When he plants that size 14 foot there is nothing holding him back. He can swing a red ball and from what I understand Jason Gillespie did a lot of work with him when he was at Yorkshire last season, remember when everyone else was playing bash and dash in India (apart from Hughes and Khawaja)? He also has a fantastic attitude and work ethic. I didn't like Maxwell's attitude, but Faulkner makes him look like a choir boy. It's going to be very interesting I think, but our bowlers are going to surprise a few people once the Ashes start.
Disco
Roar Guru
Good. The series will begin soon enough.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
The bowlers aren't from Pakistan
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Disco i'm not starting another cheer squad argument with you.
Disco
Roar Guru
Depth is one thing. Beating stronger sides in Test series is an other. If/when Australia's bowlers can lead the side to wins over SA and Eng then they will have fulfilled this potential.
Disco
Roar Guru
+1
Disco
Roar Guru
Que? Searching? It's called migration. Australia's best batsman outside of Clarke is from Pakistan... and I have no issue with that.
Disco
Roar Guru
Don't forget, according to the cheer squad, Australians are inherently superior to players from other countries.
Disco
Roar Guru
Don't forget, according to the cheer squad, Australians are inherently superior to players from other countries.
Disco
Roar Guru
See also: "Jason Krejza took a haul against India".