McGrath enthused over pace pair

Fast-bowling champion Glenn McGrath believes NSW pace pair Sean Abbott and Josh Hazlewood could well factor in the Australia's plans in the lead-up to the World Cup this home summer.

McGrath, who has just been named as Hardys Wines official cricket ambassador ahead of the biggest summer of cricket in memory, says the two young guns, who have both tasted international cricket, have what it takes to feature more regularly at the elite level.

"Sean Abbott did quite well in his T20 the other night and he's got a good attitude so it was good to see him get an opportunity - especially being a New South Welshman as well," McGrath told cricket.com.au.

"We saw four debutants in that match so I think there's going to be a lot of opportunities for young guys coming through, and it'll be interesting to see how they go, and to see if they can grab their chance.

"With India coming out here it's going to be an interesting series, and the nature of the beast with fast bowling is that it's tough on the body, and there's always going to be the odd injury here and there.

"We've seen in the last four or five years where there's been a big turnover (of fast bowlers for Australia), so for a young quick who's bowling well, you just never know when you're going to get your chance, and you need to grab it when you do.

"I was really impressed with the Australian bowlers last summer; it was probably the one time where they played the whole season injury free and they really bowled well as a unit."

McGrath was full of praise for another New South Welshman, Hazlewood, after the tall paceman's beginning to the Matador One-Day Cup, in which he grabbed seven wickets first-up and has collected five more in the two matches since to lead the Blues to the top of the ladder. 

Hazlewood, 23, debuted for Australia as a 19-year-old in 2010 in an ODI against England, but has played just the one ODI since.

He has also trained at McGrath's MRF Pace Academy in India. 

"Josh came over last year and did some work, and he looks really good," McGrath said. "He bowls good areas, he can get the ball through well, he's big, he's strong and he's got a great attitude.

"He's had a little bit of a sniff of what it's like to represent Australia and he'll be in the mix this summer - I'm expecting big things of him in the next little while, and the next few years.

"He's got what it takes to be successful at the top level, so I'm looking forward to see how he goes."