Boxing Day Test: Bowling at baking MCG could be making of Australia’s pace attack, says Brett Lee

DAYS of toil in Brisbane and predicted baking heat in Melbourne could be the making of Australia’s bowling attack with the home team out to clinch a series win over Pakistan at the MCG.

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc feeling the heat in Brisbane.

DAYS of toil in Brisbane and predicted baking heat in Melbourne could be the making of Australia’s bowling attack with the home team out to clinch a series win over Pakistan at the MCG.

Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Jackson Bird sent down 157 overs between them at the Gabba in the first Test, including 113 in the second innings as the tourists piled on 450 runs and went within a whisker of a record run chase.

They have had two days to rest and will reassemble in Melbourne today before starting again on Boxing Day, where they could be helped by unheralded all-rounder Hilton Cartwright.

The West Australian has been added to the Test squad and with the first three days expected to be played in temperatures above 30C, including a predicted 36C on day two, the bowlers could need a hand.

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc feeling the heat in Brisbane.

Former Test speedster Brett Lee, who made his debut on Boxing Day in 1999, said the fact Starc was still firing 145km/h bullets on the final day in Brisbane indicated how far he’d come as the go-to guy for skipper Steve Smith, and the left-armer’s capacity to shoulder a big bowling load.

And Lee backed the trio of quicks to fire again in Melbourne, then through the series finale in Sydney, and bed down their status as a bowling cartel to carry Australia forward.

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“It does take a big toll, when you bowl so many overs back to back, it’s hot and humid and you are under the pump, that’s the hardest part,” Lee told the Herald Sun.

“But I’ve got no issues with the amount of overs they have bowled. When you play Test cricket it is a test of who can stay out there the longest, a test of your strength, your courage, your endurance. That’s why fast bowling is such a hard job.

Australian paceman Josh Hazlewood sends one down at the Gabba.

“You are always going to be sore, whether you bowl four overs of 30, especially when you are trying to bowl over 140kmh. You are going tio be tired, yes it’s going to be mentally draining, yes it’s stressful, that’s all fine.

“But you always find a way to get up and the blokes that don’t, they are the ones that don’t last too long.

“And these three guys moving forward should be very comfortable with what they have achieved”

Lee singled out Starc, who took four second innings wickets in Brisbane to help secure an Aussie win, for special praise, and said resting him at any stage would be wrong.

Australian quick Jackson Bird bowling in Brisbane.

“Him bowling the same pace at the end of the game as he was at the start of the game shows a supreme athlete at top of his game,” Lee, a commentator with Triple M’s cricket coverage said.

“Whether he’s injury free or pain free, it doesn’t usually happen for a fast bowler.

“But the way he is mentally tough enough to get through and bowl with serious heat, right at the end there, shows Australia is in good hands.

“They have to manage him correctly, but that doesn’t mean putting him in cotton wool. Keep him playing.”

Originally published as Boxing Day Test: Bowling at baking MCG could be making of Australia’s pace attack, says Brett Lee