Chennai: Australian fast bowling great Glenn McGrath Wednesday picked India and England as the favourites to win the upcoming World Cup and said that the bowling unit will hold key to the fortunes of Virat Kohli’s men in the 50-over showpiece.
McGrath also said Australia’s recent limited-overs series win over India here have improved their chances of winning the World Cup which begins on May 30 in the United Kingdom. “The top two teams are going to be England and India. England had a tough time in West Indies and India lost to Australia. So, the competition will be tighter. Australia’s chances have improved after their ODI and T20 win over India,” McGrath, who is director of coaching at the MRF Pace Foundation here, told reporters. “The fact that Australia won the T20 series and the ODIs against India in India will boost their confidence. With those two (Steve Smith and David Warner) coming back, the team will be strengthened and those players were missed during the Australian summer,” he added. McGrath said he was not surprised with the “exceptional” show of Indian pacers during their Australian tour earlier this year. “I was not surprised … they did exceptionally well. They bowled well as a unit and there was no weak link there. I think the pace they bowled at, the consistency and control, they really impressed me,” said the 49-year-old who took 563 Test wickets in 124 matches between 1993 and 2007.
“Ishant is very experienced, Bhuvneshwar is your senior bowler and he needs to be bowling well. He is an intelligent cricketer and the Shami is doing well. “I was particularly impressed with Bumrah, he was exceptional. The way he bowls his yorkers and if there is some reverse swing, he is going to be dangerous. And the pace he bowls the yorkers makes him really unique. So, the bowlers have to perform if India is to win (the World Cup),” McGrath added. The Australian legend said Indian captain Virat Kohli would be remembered just like a Brian Lara or a Sachin Tendulkar after he finishes his career. “Kohli is a class player. He is easily one of the best going around now. By the end of his career he will be held up there alongside the likes of Lara and Tendulkar. As a captain and player he is quite aggressive.” he said. (PTI)
