Glenn McGrath heaps praise on Indian fast bowlers

Ever since its inception 25 years ago, the MRF Pace Academy in Chennai has helped hone the skills of up and coming fast bowlers from both India and Australia. But Glenn McGrath has seen the journey of the foundation all along, having been a trainee in the first batch of the programme, to now being the director of the famed academy.

Speaking at the Siler Jubilee of the association between the MRF Pace Foundation and Cricket Australia, McGrath lavished praise on the current batch of Indian pacers saying, "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."

Thampi had a highly productive IPL 2017 season picking up 11 wickets from 12 matches for Gujarat Lions and was deservedly named the Emerging Player of the tournament for his efforts. Following his exploits in the IPL, the Kerala pacer, along with Ankit Rajpoot, and Aniket Choudhary have been part of India 'A's upcoming tour of South Africa. But McGrath had a special word of praise for Thampi as he noted, "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."

Further, having made the switch from being a player to now being a coach, the 47-year-old spoke of the transition saying, "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."

"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.