PLAYING TO CONDITIONS

Umesh best pacer in India now: Rodney

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"If Umesh was in Australia, he would have got over 150 Test wickets by now." © Cricbuzz

Former Australian pacer Rodney Hogg, who featured in 38 Tests and 71 ODIs for the side, is well-versed with conditions in India. Despite Steve Smith's squad sporting four frontline spinners in the squad, Rodney -part of the Australian side that toured here in 1979 -feels Mitchell Starc and Co could still call the shots.

"I couldn't believe what Starc did in Sri Lanka last year (24 wickets from 3 Tests).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," the 65-year-old told TOI on Friday.

However, Rodney feels the emphasis on having more spin options is a step in the right direction. "They are not just thinking about this tour, but have an eye on the future as well. We have one of the best off-spinners in (Nathan) Lyon but he hasn't dominated in India before.

"We have someone like Steve O'Keefe who has played there before. I feel both (Mitchell) Swepson and (Ashton) Agar are work in progress," he pointed out.

Rodney isn't sure about the bowling combination that Australia will use for the Tests. "At home, we play three quicks -Starc, Hazlewood and Bird. But in India, they would like to play two quicks and two spinners. If you see the England side, they had a lot of balance in each aspect (pace and spin) of their bowling. They had every base covered but still couldn't do too well (against India). Our fifth bowler could be crucial if we are to bowl about 150 overs (against India)," Rodney mentioned.

According to the former paceman, Umesh Yadav "is the best fast bowler" from the Indian ranks. "I am really impressed with the way he 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," he said.

With Australian batsmen looking to master the sweep shot in order to negate Indian spinners, Rodney offered a word of caution. "I don't think we play spin very well. You would be in trouble trying to sweep R Ashwin. He (Ashwin) would be licking his lips if he knows Australia are trying to teach themselves how to sweep," he said.

© TNN