Comparison to Amir is a compliment: Andy Roberts

Windies legend says left-arm pacer's performance has sent warning signal to England

Somerset coach Matthew Maynard compared Pakistan left-arm bowling star Mohammad Amir to Andy Roberts and the West Indies bowling legend on Friday said it was a compliment for him.

"It's a compliment because somebody remembers me," said Roberts from Trinidad. "When I saw Amir for the first time, he appeared something special. Then, he got banned but is back now.”

Roberts said Amir’s performance against Somerset, where he bagged four wickets in the drawn three-day match, has sent a warning to England.

Roberts (L) is happy that someone remembers him. PHOTO: WICB

“He hasn't played a lot,” said Roberts. “Whether he has regained his craftiness is to be seen, but doing well in the lead-up to the Test series is good news for Pakistan. At least this will ensure England don't prepare tracks which will suit their bowlers."

Windies legend, who bagged 202 wickets for his country in 47 Tests, believes bowlers need to use their head more often nowadays.

"I don't see that happening enough,” he said. “It has become a power-based game and a lot of stuff is overdone. Bowlers need to vary their pace, but that does not mean they have got to bowl a lot of slower balls.”

Earlier, Maynard, a former England batsman, told reporters in Taunton: "He (Amir) was swinging it massive in the first innings, proper late big swing. He's a threat, he always has been, hasn't he? He's got that pace, he's wiry, he's got a change-up, you don't see that too often these days.

"He's someone who almost bowls at 90 per cent, 95 per cent of his capabilities and then he throws that 100 percenter in, that change of pace up, like the old great Andy Roberts."

Pakistan will play England in the first of four-match Test series on July 14 at the Lord’s.

Here is a glimpse of what Amir did against Somerset

Here are @iamamirofficial's two wickets this morning - not the worst balls ever bowled! #SOMvPAKhttps://t.co/0AnDY3zvt2

— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) July 4, 2016

WICKET: Trego is bowled by Amir for 23. Somerset 62/4#SOMvPAK pic.twitter.com/NMAtwNaLLB

— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) July 4, 2016

Fantastic bowling from @iamamirofficial but @adamhose21 and @Trescricket playing it well at present!

Somerset 43/0 pic.twitter.com/zYAE3yjhbS

— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) July 5, 2016

WICKET: Hildreth edges Amir behind and Somerset are 226/6#SOMvPAK pic.twitter.com/LI1ipOExdz

— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) July 5, 2016

Huge appeal for a catch behind off an Amir thunderbolt - not out!

Somerset 242/7 - 6 overs remain#SOMvPAKhttps://t.co/CJTdPYGUHV

— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) July 5, 2016

Andy Roberts was quoted by Mid-Day