Australia coach Mickey Arthur has declared that the team’s fast-bowlers have the potential to form the best pace attack in the world.
Arthur was all praise for pacemen Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus, along with recent recruit James Pattinson, as the trio snared 19 wickets to limit India’s strong batting line-up to a total of 451 in the first Test, which Australia won by 122 runs.
Ryan Harris, who was named in the squad for the second Test that starts on Tuesday, combined with those left out of the 12-man group – Patrick Cummins, Shane Watson and Mitchell Starc – meant there was room for depth.
“I thought we had 15 players that can play international cricket at any given time,” said Arthur. “Hopefully, by the end of the summer, we might have 22 that can do that.
“We need to build up our strength in depth, which we are doing now. I sincerely believe that this pace attack has the potential to become the best in the world.”
Meanwhile, captain Michael Clarke has hinted that four fast-bowlers could be used in Sydney but Arthur backs the inclusion of a spinner.
‘We need to give our batsmen time’
The coach also expressed confidence in Australia’s batting line-up, given Watson’s continued absence owing to injury.
“We just need to give the batsmen time, especially our younger players at one, two and three. Opener David Warner is going to be a great player for us in all three forms of the game, and same is the case with Shaun Marsh. I think Ed Cowan gave us that stability that we were looking for,” added Arthur.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 1st, 2012.
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