Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has warned the Cricket World Cup could suffer if curators around the country produced the same flat pitches that characterised the Australian summer.
"That is last thing we want," he said. "I want the WACA to be flying through, I want the SCG to have a bit of grass, I want the Gabba to seam around. We should have the wickets that everyone expects to play on when they come to Australia."
Stand-in skipper Steve Smith said the "excessively flat" SCG and MCG pitches made it hard for bowlers during the recent Test series against India. "It has been tough to get 20 wickets in this series," Smith said.
Stand-in Test skipper Steve Smith said the "excessively flat" SCG and MCG pitches made it hard for bowlers during the recent Test series against India.
Stand-in Test skipper Steve Smith said the "excessively flat" SCG and MCG pitches made it hard for bowlers during the recent Test series against India. Photo: STR
Lee was speaking at the launch of the International Cricket Council's Cricket World Cup video game on Friday, where he also opened up about the decision to take on a coaching role with Ireland. "If we have a strong World Cup it is going to better for the crowd," said Lee. "This is an opportunity for me to pass on the tips and tricks that bowlers like Allan Donald, Courtney Walsh and Dennis Lillee passed on to me."
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It is not the first time that Lee has helped out an opposing minnow nation. The 38-year-old revealed that during Bangladesh's 2004 Test tour of Australia he went to their training sessions to help the team's struggling bowlers. "I wanted to teach them how to bowl slower balls and cutters just to make the game stronger. I've always been a firm believer in helping people. What goes around comes around."
Lee ruled out taking on a full-time coaching role but said that he would be happy doing "little bits and pieces."
Ireland coach Phil Simmons said Lee's experience might give them a chance at upsetting a Test nation for the third World Cup in a row. "Brett Lee has a wonderful knowledge of fast bowling and his special insight of Australian pitches will help give our bowlers further confidence ahead of their group matches," said Simmons.
Fellow former Australian Test player Michael Hussey also announced on Thursday that he would be a consultant for South Africa during the World Cup.
Lee rated Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand as the most likely team to stop Australia taking home the ICC World Cup trophy on March 29. "Their quicks have been superb and they've got so much batting firepower with the likes of Brendon McCullum, they'll be hard to beat."
"That is last thing we want," he said. "I want the WACA to be flying through, I want the SCG to have a bit of grass, I want the Gabba to seam around. We should have the wickets that everyone expects to play on when they come to Australia."
Stand-in skipper Steve Smith said the "excessively flat" SCG and MCG pitches made it hard for bowlers during the recent Test series against India. "It has been tough to get 20 wickets in this series," Smith said.
Stand-in Test skipper Steve Smith said the "excessively flat" SCG and MCG pitches made it hard for bowlers during the recent Test series against India.
Stand-in Test skipper Steve Smith said the "excessively flat" SCG and MCG pitches made it hard for bowlers during the recent Test series against India. Photo: STR
Lee was speaking at the launch of the International Cricket Council's Cricket World Cup video game on Friday, where he also opened up about the decision to take on a coaching role with Ireland. "If we have a strong World Cup it is going to better for the crowd," said Lee. "This is an opportunity for me to pass on the tips and tricks that bowlers like Allan Donald, Courtney Walsh and Dennis Lillee passed on to me."
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It is not the first time that Lee has helped out an opposing minnow nation. The 38-year-old revealed that during Bangladesh's 2004 Test tour of Australia he went to their training sessions to help the team's struggling bowlers. "I wanted to teach them how to bowl slower balls and cutters just to make the game stronger. I've always been a firm believer in helping people. What goes around comes around."
Lee ruled out taking on a full-time coaching role but said that he would be happy doing "little bits and pieces."
Ireland coach Phil Simmons said Lee's experience might give them a chance at upsetting a Test nation for the third World Cup in a row. "Brett Lee has a wonderful knowledge of fast bowling and his special insight of Australian pitches will help give our bowlers further confidence ahead of their group matches," said Simmons.
Fellow former Australian Test player Michael Hussey also announced on Thursday that he would be a consultant for South Africa during the World Cup.
Lee rated Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand as the most likely team to stop Australia taking home the ICC World Cup trophy on March 29. "Their quicks have been superb and they've got so much batting firepower with the likes of Brendon McCullum, they'll be hard to beat."
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