Without Bumrah, series would've been one-sided

Aussie pace great McGrath lauds India spearhead who has been a one-man force with 30 wickets in the four Test matches yet

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SYDNEY: For so long, the Australian idea of fast bowling greatness was Glenn McGrath. Others like Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson, Brett Lee and Pat Cummins have excited them but Pigeon, as McGrath was called, was different.

He would keep running in, get the ball to do just enough, and if nothing else, beat batters by sheer consistency. These qualities helped him take 563 Test wickets at an average of 21.64 over the course of a decorated career.

But this summer, McGrath, who has been doing radio commentary for ABC Grandstand, has witnessed a different kind of greatness.

"Bumrah, to me, is class. There's no doubt about it," said McGrath at the Sydney Cricket Ground ahead of the Pink Test starting on Friday. "He's unique. He has an action you wouldn't teach a young guy, but he's found a way to adapt it. He's just absolutely incredible."

He added: "The way he powers in those last few steps, powers through the crease. You know, he's got a little bit of hyperextension, which I used to have as well, and you know, he's coping with that. And he's just got incredible control both ways."