Never seen anybody quite like Bumrah, says McGrath

The former Australian speedster also heaped praise on Pat Cummins, who has starred with both and ball in the Boxing Day Test.

Published : Dec 29, 2018 16:24 IST , melbourne

McGrath said Bumrah’s variety made him dangerous.
McGrath said Bumrah’s variety made him dangerous.
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McGrath said Bumrah’s variety made him dangerous.

It must have been hard for Glenn McGrath, Australia’s great conqueror, to watch the host crumble in the Boxing Day Test.

The legend, who bowled with incisive precision to dismiss a mind-boggling 563 batsmen in Tests, was however impressed with the bowling of the two young pacemen in the Test - Jasprit Bumrah and Pat Cummins.

Both Bumrah and Cummins have been the go-to men for their captains in the series. And they have invariably delivered.

READ| India vs Australia: Bumrah, Jadeja bring India on the cusp of famous win

A good yorker

McGrath told Sportstar here at the MCG on Saturday, “I have never seen anybody quite like Bumrah. He has a short run-up but powers through to the crease. And he has such an unusual, quick, whippy action.”

The former Aussie pacer added, “It’s hard for the batsmen to pick him. Bumrah is strong, bowls at a good pace and gets the ball to lift awkwardly.”

McGrath said Bumrah’s variety made him dangerous. “He can both take the ball away and bring it in. And he has a good yorker. Bumrah has been a huge factor in the Indian attack in this series.”

Read more on the pacer's magical 2018:  Bumrah sizzles in debut year

Using the short ball well

Pat Cummins cut through India's top order in the second innings and later, with the bat, played a gritty knock to take the match into the last day.

And McGrath was someone who had always backed Cummins to come good in Test cricket even when the pacemen was struggling with injuries.

McGrath, pleased with Cummins’ progress, was appreciative of the young seamer’s attitude. “He can run in all day and keep coming at the opposition. That’s his biggest strength.”  

The New South Welshman said, “Cummins has a big heart and gives it his all on the field. He bowls with pace and control, sends down a heavy ball. And he uses the short-pitched delivery well.”

McGrath predicted a bright future for Bumrah and Cummins. Coming from the pace bowling maestro himself, this is high praise for the two emerging quicks.

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