Thampi can be the next big thing, says McGrath

Photo: AFP

Chennai: Fast bowling may be hard work in India but it's good to see talented youngsters like Basil Thampi emerging in recent times, legendary Australia cricketer Glenn McGrath said.

"The Indian attack has very good bowlers now and the emergence of names like Basil Thampi and a few others is only going to help the team in the long run," he said at a function here to mark the silver jubilee of the association between MRF Pace Foundation and Cricket Australia.

McGrath said it was heartening to note that three trainees from the Pace Foundation, where he is director now, have been selected to be part of India 'A' team to embark on a tour of South Africa.

Out the three (Thampi, Ankit Rajpoot and Aniket Choudhary), McGrath singled out Thampi for praise and said, "He has come on very well. His performances in IPL this year won him the emerging player award and he has learnt a lot at the academy."

He said taking up coaching after retiring from the game was a decision that came about after a lot of consideration but he had been enjoying it.

"It is delightful to know I made it to the foundation as a trainee in the first batch of the programme. Life has come full circle, where today I am still with the foundation, not as a trainee but as its director. It is a great feeling. Also, the academy has been at the forefront of honing skills of young fast bowlers making them ready to play for India," he said.

"I am happy that I have been able to pass on some knowledge to the young fast bowlers. The past five years as coach has been a learning experience for me," McGrath added.

He said the association between MRF Pace Foundation and CA had enabled fast bowlers from India and Australia undertake reciprocal visits and learn to adapt to performing in varying conditions.

McGrath rated compatriot Mitchell Starc as the best fast bowler currently and said, "His ability to bowl attacking lengths with the new ball and reverse the older ball at over 150 kph makes him a difficult proposition for batsmen.