‘Genius’ is crucial to pace pair

MITCHELL Starc believes the spotless form of “Genius Josh’’ Hazlewood will allow he and Pat Cummins to unleash their inner-beasts at the Gabba.

Australia spent years recklessly crowning any tall fast bowler who could hit a length “the new Glenn McGrath’’ but at last with Hazlewood there is substance to the rating.

Fellow bowlers shake their heads at how Hazlewood can switch on his prudent line and length as effortlessly as a man returning from holidays turns a his porch light.

Starc believes Hazelwood will slap down the bricks and mortar next week to allow he and Cummins to attempt the fancy interior decorating against England in the first Test at the Gabba.

“He (Hazlewood) was straight back into his Test form after one over of Shield cricket,’’ Starc said.

“It’s a credit to him, he’s a bloody genius with line and length, it allows Pat and I and the others to be aggressive and that’s how I bowl.

“We can unleash from the other end, bowl as quick as we can and attack. He takes his wickets with line and length and Pat and I come in and try and blast teams out, try and attack the stumps and really intimidate.

“We have all grown up together and played a lot of cricket with and against each other through the ranks. We know each other really well and spend a lot of time together. It is no secret the fast bowlers are a tight unit.

“Hopefully we can stay together as s group and do something special over the next few years.’’