Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has made a definitive statement, placing the current national bowling lineup ahead of his own celebrated generation as the finest the country has ever produced.
The core quartet of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood, now reunited in Adelaide, boasts a staggering collective record. With 389 Test caps and 1,586 wickets between them, their partnership has been a cornerstone of Australia’s recent success. In the 35 Tests all four have played together, the team has secured 22 victories.
While acknowledging the legendary status of the early 2000s attack featuring Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, Lee pointed to unprecedented depth as a key factor. “They’re the best ever, I reckon,” Lee stated. “If you look purely on stats, everyone has taken over 250 Test wickets, and that’s never been done before.”
He also highlighted the remarkable contribution of Scott Boland, whose average of 18.17 since his 2021 debut ranks among the best in modern Test history. Lee suggested the full impact of this group may only be fully appreciated in retrospect, remarking, “the Australian public won’t recognise how good they are until they’re gone.”
In response, captain Pat Cummins credited the attack’s success to the complementary styles of its members. He described Lyon’s control, Starc’s left-arm angle, and Hazlewood’s bounce and swing as elements that allow him greater creative freedom. “It feels like we can really dovetail nicely into each other,” Cummins said.
Mitchell Starc acknowledged the challenges of comparing eras, noting significant changes in Australian pitches over the past five years. He pointed out that venues like Melbourne and Adelaide have become more bowler-friendly, while new grounds like Perth’s Optus Stadium have altered the landscape. Despite these shifts, Starc emphasized the rarity and value of the group’s long-standing cohesion, much of it forged at the state level.
The collective sentiment underscores a belief within the camp that this assembly of talent represents a unique and historically significant chapter in Australian cricket.