Starc-Hazlewood will be greatest pace duo: Jason Gillespie

Former Aussie speedster Jason Gillespie is very happy with the bowling duo of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc and stated that they will become the greatest fast bowling combination Australia has ever produced. Starc and Hazlewood were the bright spots for Australia in an otherwise disappointing series against the Proteas which the visitors won by a 2-1 margin.

Hazlewood and Starc finished the series, being the highest and 3rd highest wicket taker respectively. While Hazlewood bagged 17 wickets at an impressive average of 22, Starc returned with 14 wickets in 3 Tests at an average of 30.

Gillespie was pretty confident about the duo and heaped praises on them while speaking to cricket.com.au during a media interaction. “Starc and Hazlewood, without a doubt, will be the best fast bowling combination Australia has ever produced. I’ve got no doubt about that. They’ll stay fit, they’ll stay healthy, they’re learning their trade all the time, they complement each other very well.”

As per Gillespie, Hazlewood is a destructive bowler relying on his accuracy while Starc bowls with venom and has the ability to swing the ball late at pace.

“Starc (is a) really fast, aggressive, nose-and-toes attacking option who can swing the ball late at pace. And then you’ve got Hazlewood who is an aggressive bowler but in a different way. He’s aggressive with his relentless line and length, he’s very disciplined.”

He added, “I think they’re both fine bowlers. In many years’ time when we’re reflecting on great Australian cricketers, those two will be right up there.”

Since Josh Hazlewood’s Test debut against India in 2014, the bowling duo of Starc and Hazlewood has appeared in 17 Test matches together and have a total of 161 scalps to their name.

Gillespie and Glenn McGrath still remains the most successful fast bowling duo of all time with a total of 484 wickets together in 58 Tests.