Australia’s fast-bowling riches bad news for England

CRICKET: The prospect of a four-pronged pace attack spearheaded by a fit and firing Pat Cummins and James Pattinson would “send shivers down the spine” of England ahead of this summer’s Ashes series, according to former pace ace Mitchell Johnson.

Mitchell Starc left India after the second Test with a foot injury but aims to be fit for the Champions Trophy in June, and veteran Peter Siddle remains sidelined with a back injury, but everyone else is firing – and most are on show this weekend.

Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and potentially Jackson Bird will be on show in Dharamsala from tomorrow as Australia attempts to seal a historic series win in India.

And Pattinson will headline the quicks when he spearheads Victoria against South Australia in the Sheffield Shield final, starting on Sunday.

The all-pace attack idea has been floated in the past but rarely before has Australia boasted such strength and depth in its fast-bowling stocks.

But back to England and how it’d be feeling if it lobbed at the Gabba and was faced with a green monster.

“I’m sure it’s going to send shivers down their spine,” Johnson said.

“There’s nothing worse than having no break from guys bowling 140-plus. England did it to us a couple of times and when you have no relief it becomes bloody hard.”

Johnson marvelled at the current fast-bowling depth in Australia, and said it would produce better results for the national team as players spur each other on.

“It sounds good doesn’t it? Having all those guys fit and healthy,” he said.

“It’s going to be a hard job for selectors when all those guys are fully fit.”