Looking for pacers from North India can be an option: McGrath

Impressed with the skill-set of young speedsters at the MRF pace academy in Chennai, Australian pace legend Glenn McGrath today said that hunting for stronger bodies from the northern part of India can be the answer to the nation's thirst for producing more fast bowlers.
The 6 feet 5 inch-tall pacer, who dominated the cricketing world after bagging 563 wickets in 124 Tests during his 14-year-long career, is unable to diagnose India's inabilty to produce a constant stream of pacers but is hopeful with the current crop.
"It (MRF pace foundation) was originally set up 28 years ago to find bowlers, who can bowl good pace and express bowlers. And I think to be a fast bowler in India is as tough as it gets. Now, why there have been no bowlers, who can bowl upto 150 plus I am not sure," McGrath said during an interaction with mediapersons, here today.

"But if you look at the top of India, people are actually physically bigger and stronger. Maybe, looking for more fast bowlers from that region can be a good option. Because you look just across the border and they produce fast bowlers all the time," said McGrath during a promotional event as the brand ambassador of Australia's Hardys Wines for their Indian distributors Sula Selections.
"It's quite amazing, I don't know whether genetics plays a role. If you have got a bowler, who is 6 feet four and above, strong, he is going to get that bounce which a guy who is under 6 foot is not going to get. So I think being taller does help but it's not a pre-requisite, look at Dale Steyn he can still bowl fast and is the best in the world," he added.

The 45-year-old McGrath has been open about his praise for Varun Aaron, whom he tutored for a while, but urges the youngsters to step up in this highly competitive age.

"I come over to Chennai three times a year. I like how they do thing's there. I think the coaching is good and the facilities are good and just the way they go about it I really like because that's the way I used to train.
"The young guys coming through are very good skill wise but it's the attitude that's going to take them forward. We have seen Varun Aaron come out of the MRF pace foundation, he has done well. I would like to see him play more for India. I think he has got so much potential 150 kmph is good and I would love to see him get more of an opportunity," he said.

"Than you have Ishwar Pandey, whose done well and will start getting more opportunities for India moving forward. We have seen bits and pieces in the IPL, but I want to see the young guys now stepping up a little bit more," he said.