Retired Australian fast bowler says defending champions need to ensure that their fast bowlers are fully fit
When Brett Lee talks about fast bowling, you listen. More so if it's to do with fitness.
At a time when the Indian pace attack is grappling with fitness issues a week ahead of the start of the World Cup, the retired Australian pacer said it is imperative that the team managements ensures that the fast bowlers get fully fit. Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami are all under the fitness radar, apart from all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and opener Rohit Sharma. With their fitness set to be assessed on Saturday (a day ahead of India's first warm-up game against Australia), everyone is keeping their fingers crossed, including Lee.
"I think what India need to do is ensure that the fast bowlers are fully fit," the 38-year-old said via a teleconference from Sydney after the launch of Disney India's official digital game for the Cup -- ICC Pro Cricket 2015.
"Ishant Sharma, to me, could be a bowler that could play a huge role along with someone like (Umesh) Yadav, who was rested for the recent match in Perth. The need of the hour for India is pace.
"Out here, they need quick bowlers who can bowl good bouncers and have a good slower delivery in their armoury along with the skills to bowl during the death overs. What I mean by bowl at the death is to be able to deliver fast 145 kmph yorkers that can knock out a team at the death," Lee, who took 380 wickets in ODIs, said.
Asked to pick his favourite to clinch the trophy on March 29, Lee refused to stick his neck out.
"I've said it all along that the team that will win the trophy will be the most complete team. That doesn't mean that on paper they are the best cricket nation, it doesn't even mean that every player is a superstar in that team.
What it means is that the team, which over the course of the seven weeks of the World Cup, plays the best cricket on every particular match day is the champion.
"I think Australia have a great chance of winning the World Cup just like India, South Africa and New Zealand," was all the former pacer was ready to say.
Lee reckoned Australia have the most balanced team going into the tournament.
"In terms of balance, if they're all firing on one particular day, Australia has got a very balanced and a strong bowling attack. Just to mention a few, they have got (Mitchell) Johnson, (Mitchell) Starc, (Pat) Cummins, (Josh) Hazlewood along with a lot of guys on the sidelines as well.
What about India? Lee said it all depends on the playing XI MS Dhoni and the think-tank opt for.
"The Indian side too has got the depth, but it is necessary to have the right combination of playing XI at the right time. New Zealand have got some good fast bowlers as well along with some good slower bowlers. Anyone on their particular day has got the chance to win," he added.
Clarke unsure if he will play opener
Captain Michael Clarke admitted on Friday he is doubtful for Australia's World Cup opener against England on February 14 and that medics would make the call. The 33-year-old has had two easy run-outs in the last week as he bids to recover from hamstring surgery and chronic back pain. But noting he still had a "gap" to fill to be 100 per cent fit, he said he did not know if he would be strong enough in time to play at the top level.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}