Brett Lee Admits That Based On Current Form Virat Kohli Would Have Smashed Him To All Parts Of The Ground

With express pace, a deadly yorker and ability to swing the new ball and reverse swing the old, Brett Lee was a batsman's nightmare. Four years since his retirement, the 39-year-old seems as keen about the game as he was during his playing days. In Chennai to mentor the Ruby Kanchi Warriors in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), the Australian legend spoke about Virat Kohli's aggression, why he rates Jasprit Bumrah as the best Indian pacer and why Mitchell Starc needs to carry his ODI form to Test cricket. Excerpts

BCCL

Australia have struggled against spin in the sub-continent yet again. What is wrong?

We don't have enough experienced players to handle spin on these turners. When it comes to shot selection against spin, you need to be smart. Overseas batsmen who have flourished in subcontinent conditions have always used their feet very well against spinners. So, maybe, our batsmen need to use their feet quicker.

Your views about Mitchell Starc, who has stood tall amidst the ruins...

It's still early days but he's been absolutely brilliant. He's done well in ODIs and T20s because of his ability to swing the white ball and generate a lot of pace. He's also got a great yorker. I want to see Starc take that form, aggression and control into Test cricket. Bowlers often get confused whether to bowl the same line and length that they bowl in limited-overs in Tests too. For me, it's always been the same with different colour changes in the ball. A yorker in Tests is as good as a yorker in T20s. A good length ball can induce a nick in all formats. So I want Starc to go out there and bowl with the same freedom in Tests like the way he has done in limited overs.

Nowadays, a lot of pacers cut down on pace after getting injured. Your views...

BCCL

I had a number of operations but I never felt the need to cut down on pace. If you are there to bowl fast, you are there to bowl fast. Period. It didn't excite me to run in and bowl at 130km per hour.

How crucial is the workload factor for a fast bowler? Does he need to pick and choose?

I hate it when they say that a bowler has been rested. Usually, what happens is when a bowler gets rested after playing in three matches, his replacement comes in and takes a five-for. Now, with both doing equally well, whom does the management choose? That situation creates a lot of insecurities in the team. So I think that if you want to be a good fast bowler, you got to be the fittest in the team. If you are good and fit enough, you should play in every single game.

What's your take on the Indian pace attack? Is there any bowler who has impressed you?

India now have a good pace attack. Earlier, there used to be Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma. But now, they do have some good variety in Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav. But I am really fond of Jasprit Bumrah. Yes, his action is different. I feel he can definitely become a lot faster if he can fix his front arm. But then, that works for him. So you wouldn't get a lot of bowlers who would copy his action. His action is as unique as Jeff Thomson's, a bit like a wound-up spring. But then I am impressed with the way he bowls. He's got good pace and I like his aggression.

Your views on Virat Kohli. Does he have any chinks in his batting?

AFP

He is the world's best batsman currently. I love the way he plays and his aggression. His aggression is in your face but it's not over the top. Rather, it's controlled. He's very passionate and always puts his team first. His technique is incredible. If you look back a couple of years, you would say that a fourth or fifth stump ball might get him fishing and that's how you get him out. But now, he's checked that and that ball no longer gets him out. He's tightened his technique, his stance is upright and he's playing with total freedom.

Do you think he would have hit you all over the park?

Given the kind of form he is in, probably yes.

What prompted you to take up the mentor's role?

BCCL

I enjoy doing commentary with the official broadcaster. So when the Ruby Kanchi Warriors offer came by, our paths crossed. I thought that I will be doing some commentary anyway and so if I take up the offer I can share some of my knowledge with the local players. So that's how I came on board.

What do you expect from TNPL?

My first job here will be to listen to the players and what they want to learn. I can pass on a lot of knowledge which I have gained from the likes of Glenn McGrath and Dennis Lillee. From the bowling point of view, I can teach them about tactics and the different areas to bowl. I want to give my players freedom to express themselves.