Hazlewood set for place in elite 200-club, says McGrath

Brisbane, Dec 18 (IANS) Pace legend Glenn McGrath has said Australia's latest fast bowling sensation, Josh Hazlewood, will join the country's exclusive 200-wicket club in due course of time.

McGrath's comments came after the young pacer began his career in a sensational fashion, claiming five wickets for 68 runs, becoming the 33rd Australian to take a fifer on Test debut and 16th to do so in his debut innings, emulating the deeds of stalwarts Dennis Lillee, Brett Lee and Graham McKenzie.

Fellow young guns James Pattinson and Pat Cummins also achieved the feat in 2011.

"Without a doubt, now it's up to him," McGrath, who has taken 563 Test wickets, the most by any fast bowler, was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald Thursday.

"If he continues working hard off the field, improving his game, getting fitter and stronger all the time and never being happy with where he is, he'll get 200 easy."

Only 10 Australian quicks have reached the milestone but McGrath believes the boy from Bendemeer has what it takes to join some of the greats of the game.

It was his efforts that triggered India's collapse on day two of the second Test, the visitors crumbling to 408 all out from a comfortable overnight position of 311 for four, thereby loosening their hold on the game.

"He bowls good areas, bowls a heavy ball, gets bounce on any tracks. He's going to be good. He's going to be quality. He's got good control.

"He may not be quite as quick as Cummins or Pattinson or as in your face aggressive as Patto is, but he'll put pressure on you the whole time."