Sydney, Dec 31 (IANS) Australia coach Mickey Arthur feels that his team’s pace attack has the potential to be the best in the world and he’s happy with his top six batsmen.
The former South African coach was impressed with the pace trio of Peter Siddle, James Pattinson and Ben Hilfenhaus, who played a crucial role in the 122-run win in the first Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
With back-up bowlers like Ryan Harris, Patrick Cummins, Shane Watson and Mitchell Starc either injured or waiting in the wings, Arthur said he was very excited by the potential and the competition for places in every position.
‘I thought we had 15 players that can play international cricket, at any given time. Hopefully by the end of the summer we might have 22 guys that can do that because we need to build up our strength in depth, which we are doing now,’ said Arthur.
‘But I do think this pace attack has the potential to become the best in the world. I’m pretty loath to go into any Test match without a spinner,’ Arthur was quoted as saying by The Herald Sun. ‘Obviously conditions will determine that but the SCG has normally got a history of favouring spin down the line.’
Arthur wants to give the young batsmen more time to prosper.
‘I think we just need to give them time, especially our younger players at one, two and three. David Warner is going to be a great player in all three forms of the game, same with Shaun Marsh. I think Ed Cowan gave us that stability that we were looking for, especially in the first innings. He almost brought a little bit of that calmness to that,’ he said.
