Hazlewood-Cummins-Starc trio better than McGrath-Gillespie-Lee: Matthew Hayden

Matthew Hayden was effusive in praise for Australia's pace trio as it helped the Baggy Greens take a sizeable first-innings lead in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa at the Lord's Cricket Ground on Thursday, June 12.

Pat Cummins received a special mention from Hayden, who praised the Australian captain's ability to challenge the off-stump, use the slope at Lord's, and make the South African batters play consistently. The former Australian opener also applauded Cummins for picking up 300 Test wickets despite being out of action for five and a half years due to injury.

Cummins became the eighth Australian bowler to pick up 300 Test wickets. He achieved the feat on Day 2 of the WTC final when he dismissed Kagiso Rabada to finish with excellent figures of 6/28 in South Africa's first innings.

“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," Hayden was quoted as saying by India Today.

Cummins received commendable support from Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. While the left-arm pacer got rid of the openers with the new ball, Hazlewood sent the dangerous Tristan Stubbs packing.

Hayden opined that Hazlewood, Cummins, and Starc combine to form Australia's greatest seam-bowling attack of all time. He ranked them ahead of the legendary troika of Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, and Brett Lee.

"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 pointed out that bowlers have dominated proceedings in the WTC final, while the batters have not been at their best, especially against the swing that has been on offer at the iconic venue.

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“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," Hayden said.