Starc staring fast wows Waugh

16 April 2015 - 02:36 By Reuters

Former Australia captain Steve Waugh has backed pace bowler Mitchell Starc to bring his World Cup form into the Tests against West Indies and England. Left-armer Starc was named the player of the World Cup after an outstanding tournament but has yet to cement his place in the Australian Test side after 15 matches."That's a big thing for Australia," Waugh said of Starc's emergence, in comments published by Australian Associated Press."We've got so many bowlers at our disposal that we're capable of winning every Test match because we can take 20 wickets."But I think Starc will go to that next level in Test cricket as well."I think we've got the best young group of quicks we may have ever had in Australian cricket."And if they all get fit and guys like Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle are around, those young quicks, then we're going to take 20 wickets."Starc and fellow young talent Josh Hazlewood will join experienced hands Mitchell Johnson and Siddle in a formidable pace attack for the West Indies and the Ashes series, with seasoned campaigner Ryan Harris to join them in England.Selectors have also picked Pakistan-born legspinner Fawad Ahmed to join offspinner Nathan Lyon in the attack for both tours.Waugh said former refugee Ahmed, who struggled in a handful of limited overs matches for Australia, was ready to become world-class."I saw him bowl one ball in one of his first games and I knew he had something special," Waugh said."He's going to be a real asset to Australian cricket. He'll slot in that squad no problems."They all know each other well, there's a lot of support staff around, including [coach] Darren Lehmann, and he seems to feel comfortable in the squad." ..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.