Australian pace legend Glenn McGrath came down heavily on the Indian catching, particularly in the slips, during the recent Test series in England.
Although the series ended in a 3-1 defeat for India, McGrath defended the Indian speedsters. “Too many catches were put down, particularly in the slips. You can’t keep producing 25 opportunities (for dismissals) to pick 10 wickets every innings. I thought the Indian pacemen bowled well.”
He said the essential ingredients of pace bowling were “self-belief, bowling to the conditions, bowling in partnerships, combining with the wicket-keeper, and knowing yourself.”
McGrath wanted the pitches in domestic cricket to have more pace and bounce. “If you keep bowling in docile pitches here, you cannot expect your fast bowlers to adapt straightaway to the tracks abroad. The pitches need to encourage the pacemen in India.”
McGrath was impressed with the way Varun Aaron bowled in England. “He bowled at good speeds and also hit the right areas. He is a good prospect.”
