Impossible to replace McGrath, Warne: Kasprowicz

There’s so much cricket in India that there’s enough room for something like ICL, says former Australia paceman

Australian cricket may be still going strong, but Aussie medium pacer Michael Kasprowicz believes the likes of legends Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne cannot be replaced.

“McGrath and Warne are always going to be special for Australian cricket. It’s hard to recreate them. In fact, it’s impossible. One can’t expect the young players in the team to become like them, it’s unfair on the youngsters,” said Kasprowicz.

The tall pacer was speaking to the media on the sidelines of a promo campaign of Queensland University.

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However, despite ruling out chances of Australia’s new breed emulating the feats of McGrath and Warne, Kasprowicz reckons that his country’s cricketing structure is too good for the Board and fans to worry about the onset of a transition phase in the national team.

Kasprowicz, a veteran of 113 Test wickets, has been out of regular international action for close to three years now. And expectedly, the raging topic of the Indian Cricket League (ICL) came up.

“I haven’t received any offer from ICL, and I am not interested,” he said, but did add that there was enough scope for the rebel league’s supporters to carry with their venture.

“When it comes to Indian cricket, there’s plenty of following, there’s plenty of cricket to catch up with, particularly on TV. Personally, I feel there’s so much of a cricket following in India that there’s always enough room for things like this (ICL),” the right-arm pacer from Queensland.

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As for the upcoming inaugural Twenty20 World Cup, Kasprowicz called upon the bowling fraternity not to lose heart, and instead, adapt to newer challenges. “This form of cricket brings skill levels closer than ever before. So, games are going to be closer, and it’s going to be all the more challenging for bowlers,” the 35-year-old pacer explained.

“I think given the combination that Australia have now, they should win the World Cup.”

Terming the ongoing duel between Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting as “interesting to watch”, Kasprowicz pointed out that both India and Australia have their own little advantages going into encounter mode from October. The Aussies will come down to India for a seven-match ODI series, and the Indians will follow it up with a full tour of Down Under early next year.

“If you look at how the two teams performed, Australia have the experience of winning constantly over a long period of time. But again, the conditions in India are always going to be tough, like I figured out in my tours to India in 1998 and 2001,” the sturdy bowler said.