Away series will be a big test: Clarke

Calcutta (The Telegraph): The new Australian pace attack has caught the attention of the cricket world and praises from all quarters were showered on them. But, skipper Michael Clarke prefers to reserve his comments until his bowlers perform well on foreign soil.

“I think the fact we’ve seen so many young guys come in and do well, automatically we think the grass is very green on the other side,” Clarke was quoted as saying by the Herald Sun.

Queenslander Alister McDermott, the son of former fast bowler and current Australian bowling coach Craig, is one of the youngsters to put his hand up for Australian selection after a brilliant spell of 7-24 in a Sheffield Shield match against WA at the Gabba.

McDermott will be a strong contender for next year’s Ashes tour, besides the likes of James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc and Patrick Cummins. The trio, along with Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus, have all had a great time this summer and brought the strong Indian batting line-up to their knees.

Clarke felt the emergence of new talents is a positive sign for Australian cricket, but the new bowlers also need to prove themselves in different conditions.

“We think there’s a lot of good stock still waiting to get an opportunity, which is very positive for Australian cricket. It’s been a really good start to the summer winning the Test series, but I guess you are expected to perform well in your own backyard."

“You travel all around the world and play in completely different conditions. It’s now going to be a good test to see how we go when we play overseas,” Clarke said.

He, however, deferred a question about McDermott’s prospects to perform in international level to his fellow selectors. But he admitted the 20-year-old’s remarkable performance was hard to overlook.

“He’s had a really good year for the Bulls and bowled really well in the Twenty20 as well,” Clarke said. “It looks like he’s been working on his death bowling. His yorker is probably as good as there is in domestic cricket at the moment."

“He’s a 20-year-old kid so he’s got plenty of time, but I’m sure he’s got goals to represent Australia in whatever form he can. If he keeps performing like that, it’ll be hard to keep him out.”