Wasim Akram hails Mcdermott for Australian pacers` rise

Melbourne: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has credited Australia`s bowling coach Craig Mcdermott for the impressive performances by the young crop of Aussie pacers in the recent times.

"If Craig is telling them something, he can make a point. If there is a guy who only played first-class cricket and a couple of games here or there - he can`t tell them. He can have his theories but people like Craig have been there and done it at the top level consistently," Akram said. "He was one of the greats. Cricket is a very simple sport. Craig knows what he is saying," he was quoted as saying in `The Age`. That the former Australian fast bowler has been doing a great job with the pace battery since taking over in May as the bowling coach, was evident in the first Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as the pacers picked up 19 of the 20 Indian wickets that fell during the four days. The 46-year-old McDermott`s mantra for the Australian pacers has been short and simple -- consistently pitch five metres from the stumps. McDermott, who has 291 wickets from 71 Tests, wants his fast bowlers to give the ball a chance to swing. PTI