PERTH, Australia, CMC – A former Australia fast bowler has raised questions over the hosts’ pace attack ahead of the final Test against West Indies here next week and believes speedster Kemar Roach will be the main threat on a pitch expected to provide plenty pace and bounce.
Mike Whitney, who played 12 Tests between 1981 and 1992, said the present Aussie attack held no terrors for opposing teams but noted that the consistently quick Roach would be more than a handful for batsmen with his menacing pace.
“Anyone who can bowl 150-plus will be very intimidating in Perth. It will be great to watch Kemar Roach bowl, he is genuinely quick,” said Whitney, who played his last Test against West Indies 17 years ago in Melbourne.
“The thing I like about Roach is he was bowling as quick in his last over as he was in his first. He can sustain his pace and that is a huge bonus.”
Roach, who has played just four Tests to date in fledgling career, has been the bright spot for the Caribbean side despite their fortunes in the series.
The 21-year-old, right-armer has consistently clocked 150 km in the series and has troubled all the Aussie batsmen with his searing pace, causing them discomfort on relatively flat wickets in Brisbane and Adelaide during the first two Tests.
Whitney, who finished with 39 wickets, said the Aussie pace attack did not provide this same menace especially with Brett Lee sidelined with a career-threatening injury.
