If Umesh was Australian, he would have taken over 150 Test wickets by now, says Rodney Hogg
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Former Australia fast bowler Rodney Hogg described Umesh Yadav as 'quick with a great action' and said had Yadav been playing for Australia he would have taken over 150 Test wickets by now. Hogg expects fast bowlers to play a big role in the high-profile four-Test series starting in Pune on Feb 23.
Hogg represented Australia in 38 Tests and was part of the Australian side that drew a Test series in India in 1981.
"I am really impressed with the way he (Umesh Yadav) bowls. If Umesh was in Australia, he would have got over 150 Test wickets by now. He is quick, has a great action but Indian conditions don't suit fast bowling," Hogg told the Times of India.
The 65-year-old said although the Steve Smith-led squad has four specialist spinners, he expects the pacers to play a key role, citing Mitchell Starc's brilliant performance in Sri Lanka where he claimed 24 wickets in three Tests. adding that he wasn't sure what bowling combination Smith would use in the series.
"I couldn't believe what Starc did in Sri Lanka last year. Those were tough conditions for a player from Australia and he gave it his all. Both Hazlewood and Starc complement each other. Hazlewood makes fast bowling look so easy. In Starc, Smith has someone who can deliver both with the new and old ball.
"At home, we play three quicks -Starc,
Hogg thinks the sweep shot would get the Aussie batsmen in
"I don't think we play spin very well. You would be in trouble trying to sweep R Ashwin. He would be licking his lips if he knows Australia are trying to teach themselves how to sweep," he said.
