Brian Lara has named the West Indian quick to watch this summer who could trouble the Aussies and the Australian who has him worried.
Cricket great Brian Lara believes the West Indies non-smiling assassin Alzarri Joseph can rock Australia in Perth but fears Steve Smith may still dominate the summer.
Lara, who will commentate for Fox Cricket in the two Test series starting in Perth on Wednesday, believes the West Indies have the potential to produce a dignified performance in Australia despite their sorrowful efforts in the recent T20 World Cup.
Joseph’s Test record of 62 wickets at 34 from 22 games may not be spectacular but he caught the eye during the recent T20 World Cup, pushing the speedometer to around 150kph.
“I believe Joseph is going to be special and Australia is going to know a lot more about him by the end of the series,’’ Lara said.
West Indian great Curtly Ambrose is also a Joseph fan and recently remarked that he particularly enjoyed that, much like Ambrose himself, Joseph doesn’t smile much.
During their halcyon period in the 1980s and 90s the West Indies fast men produced some earth-quaking performances at Perth’s old WACA ground and the new Optus Stadium has similar life.
Lara sees the potential but has warned the attack, which also includes experienced Kemar Roach, not to lose their heads.
“Patience is the big thing, especially as the attack is relatively young. You just can’t let the Australian batsmen get away from you. Keep the pressure on and the wickets may come in batches.’’
Smith claimed during the recent white ball series against England he was batting as well as he had in six years following a year long refinement process which involved becoming more side-on with less pronounced movements towards the off side.
Lara has noted the new model and senses a clear and present danger for the Windies.
“I am worried about Smith because even with his old technique he was a handful and the small changes he has made have made him feel a lot more comfortable.
“That worries me because I like the changes he has made. In the list of great batsmen of the present he is up there with any of them.’’
Despite being a ghost of the side they once were, the West Indies recently defeated England in a Test series in the Caribbean to raise hopes of a brighter era.
“We have a squad that can beat anybody. I am not going to say that if we play at our best we can beat Australia but I want us to show resilience. Get the games going five days. You never know. I have in the back of my mind the thought that these youngsters are up for a fight.’’
Lara has been watching the civil war between former Australian coach Justin Langer and his former players with dismay.
“I haven’t enjoyed it to be honest. To me that is not what Australian cricket is about. They keep fuelling the fire. It’s unnecessary.
“I have had many situations where your laundry has been aired in public and it is not good.’’
Originally published as Lara says all is not lost for underdogs Windies in Australia
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