Starc, Hoff or bust: McDermott

Steve Smith’s Australian team is in for a bleak summer should new-ball duo Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc both break down, according to former fast bowler Craig McDermott.

But the ex-Australia bowling coach said it’s not all bad news after he was impressed by the return of rapid paceman Patrick Cummins during the NSW Blues’ successful Matador BBQs One-Day Cup campaign.

Hazlewood and Starc were absent during Australia’s disastrous tour of South Africa earlier this month where the tourists were swept 5-0 for the first time in history, and McDermott predicts more pain if the pace pair aren’t in the Baggy Green together this season.

“As long as we don’t lose Hazlewood and Starc, if we lose both of those in the first couple of Test matches we’re in for a long hot summer,” McDermott told cricket.com.au’s The Unplayable Podcast when asked if thought Australia’s pace stocks are in good shape.

“They’re our two best bowlers. I certainly wouldn’t want to be going into too many Tests without Hazlewood and Starc in a Test series.”

Hazlewood and Starc will line up for NSW in the Blues’ opening round of the Sheffield Shield, which starts in Brisbane today, with all eyes set to be on the left-armer in his first game back after a fielding mishap six weeks ago required surgery and 36 stitches in his left leg.

While Starc has been bowling for the past two weeks, he will be restricted to 15 overs at the Gabba against the myFoot Dr Queensland Bulls and may not bowl in the second innings.

Despite his troubled preparation, Starc is expected to be named in Australia’s Test squad for the first Commonwealth Bank Test against South Africa at the WACA Ground starting November 3.

Last summer the Perth pitch that hosted the Black Caps could have doubled as a highway, with 1,672 runs plundered for the loss of 28 wickets.

The placid wicket meant bowlers were cannon fodder as David Warner (253) and New Zealand’s Ross Taylor (290) amassed double-centuries.

Quick Single: Starc reveals detail of leg injury

Flat Australian pitches is a key factor in the ‘velocity philosophy’ embraced by McDermott and Bupa Support Team Head Coach Darren Lehmann, who believes bowlers who can consistently clock speeds in excess of 140kph are the difference-makers. 

While Lehmann expects the WACA wicket for Thursday week’s first Test to feature the pace and bounce of its heyday, McDermott still believes out-and-out quick bowlers are essential in Australia.

And it’s not just about providing wicket-taking deliveries, but the presence express fast bowlers carry with them too.

“I think it (velocity) is very relevant,” McDermott said. 

“Particularly in Test cricket, we need velocity for reverse (swing) bowling in Test matches.

“And just to create that aura around our bowling attack we’ve had for a long time with Jonho (Mitchell Johnson), Sidds (Peter Siddle) back when he was bowling in the 140kph’s, Ryan Harris who’s just retired was (regularly) early 140kph’s.

“James Pattinson, Nathan Coulter-Nile can bowl that pace.

“I think it’s really important for our bowling attack particularly for Test cricket and probably one-day cricket as well.”

One speedster who can hit frightening speeds is Blues paceman Cummins.

Cummins was on song during the Matador Cup, capturing 15 wickets in six matches to finish the tournament as the joint-leading wicket-taker alongside NSW teammate Doug Bollinger and South Australia’s Cameron Velente.

The 23-year-old is not expected to feature in the Baggy Green this summer, instead he’s eyeing a return to international cricket in the 50-over format, and McDermott liked what he saw of the young tearaway.

“He (Cummins) may play one-day cricket for Australia later in the year,” McDermott said.

“Watching him here at Drummoyne the other day (against Queensland when he claimed 4-26), he’s certainly back.

“As far as pace goes he’s getting through the crease nicely, all his lines look really, really tight and hard.

“That’s a great sign for us.”