The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Australia has a better attack: Cooley

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Friday, Aug 18, 2006

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Australia has a better attack: Cooley

SYDNEY: Australia fast bowling coach Troy Cooley predicts his side's pacemen will be stronger than England's in the upcoming Ashes series, with reverse swing added to their armoury.

Cooley mentored the attack of Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Matthew Hoggard that last year helped England claim its first Ashes victory in 18 years but returned to his homeland last year to work with the Australian bowlers.

Asked who he thought had the stronger attack, Cooley said ``I think we have.''

Cooley trained England's quicks in the art of reverse swing to devastating effect in the last Ashes series and said he was now teaching the Australians the same skills.

Good to have 'em all

``You want to try and have all the deliveries underneath your belt. Reverse swing is one of them, and if the conditions suit, you really want the bowler to be able to use that ball.

But Cooley said England would still have a strong attack, even if injury keeps leading reverse-swing exponent Jones from making the tour.

``They have a very good, formidable attack, and on our day when they're all firing, it'll be a good shootout,'' he said.

Uncomplicated action

Cooley oversaw a net session with Lee at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday and said his rhythm and action looked good.

``He looks in pretty good nick at the moment. The biggest thing is making sure his workload comes up to scratch and he's ready to play.

``It's a very unique style and it's uncomplicated, and if we can keep it that way it'll stand him in good stead.''

The first match of the five-Test Ashes series starts in Brisbane on November 23. — Agencies

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