Aussie Marsh backs England pacemen

LONDON: Former Australian Test star Rod Marsh believes England's fast-bowling future is bright in a timely boost for the English who were whitewashed 5-0 in the last Ashes series.   

Australia have great hopes for seamers Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus, but Marsh, a former England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) thinks England's fast bowlers are in better shape.   

"England's bowlers are all big, tall blokes. There are a couple of kids from Durham about seven foot. You've got Liam Plunkett who people have discarded now, I don't know why. Graham Onions, he's bowling well. One from Middlesex, Steven Finn, he's a big, tall fellow," Marsh tells January's Wisden Cricketer magazine.   

"(Steve) Harmison's still around. (Stuart) Broad's about eight foot and growing. People say you've got to have strength in your batting but you don't have to."

"If you have a big battery of fast bowlers who can run in and knock sides over, you don't have to make that many runs."   

Marsh, however, admitted he is baffled by England's form since 2005 when they snatched the Ashes in a memorable series.   

"It's almost as if they've won a series, they've done their work, they don't have to follow up," said the former Australian Test wicket-keeper. "(Australian captain) Ricky Ponting's team has won 14 Tests in a row. When was the last time England won 14 in a row? But why hasn't it happened? It boils down to competitiveness."