Matthew Hayden rates Cummins-Hazlewood-Starc better than McGrath-Lee-Gillespie

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden believes the fast bowling trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc is better than Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie. Hayden played with McGrath, Lee and Gillespie and he has been observing Cummins, Hazlewood and Starc’s growth as an expert.

Meanwhile, Cummins was once again right on the money in the World Test Championship final against South Africa. The Australian skipper returned with figures of 6-28 and played a key role in skittling out South Africa at 138 in the first innings after they posted 212 runs on the board. Cummins also reached 300 Test wickets and became the fifth-fastest pacer to reach the landmark in terms of balls (13,725) bowled.

Matthew Hayden said after Day 2, “Cummins does everything right—he challenges the off stump, uses the slope, and targets the top of the stumps, making batters play constantly. He now has over 300 Test wickets despite not bowling for five and a half years due to injury. That’s extraordinary.”

Meanwhile, Glenn McGrath took 563 wickets, whereas Lee scalped 310 wickets in his Test career.

“The trio of Hazlewood, Cummins, and Starc might just be Australia’s best-ever pace attack—even better than McGrath, Gillespie, and Lee—because they’ve bowled more together, in more combinations. Add Nathan Lyon to the mix, and it’s an ‘awesome foursome.’ Australia did well to pull ahead despite pressure. South Africa fought back hard, making this a seesaw contest. It’s been a fantastic Test match so far, and Day 3 promises more drama,” said Hayden.

Hayden highlighted that batsmanship has certainly taken a fall, whereas the bowlers have dominated the WTC final.

“Looking at Day 2 performance, an equal number of wickets have fallen over the two days. Batters seem a bit rusty in terms of Test match batting. The lateral movement has made footwork difficult—they’re getting hit on the pads, edging deliveries. Bowlers have dominated this match.

Australia has a lead of 218 runs with two wickets in hand.