As the high-stakes World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 between heavyweights Australia and South Africa underway, the spotlight has once again turned to Australia’s fast-bowling trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood. The pace unit has been instrumental in keeping South Africa’s strong batting lineup in check, delivering disciplined and impactful spells in the grand finale.

Why Matthew Hayden rates the current trio above past greats

Australian legend and renowned cricket analyst Matthew Hayden has made a big claim, saying that the current Australian fast bowling trio is better than the famous group of Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, and Jason Gillespie. His comment sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with many fans discussing and comparing the two generations of bowlers.

Speaking on JioHotsar after the end of Day 2 of WTC Final, Hayden said that the trio of Hazlewood, Cummins, and Starc could be Australia’s best-ever pace attack, possibly even stronger than the iconic combination of McGrath, Gillespie, and Lee. He points out that the current trio has bowled together more frequently and in more varied conditions. When spinner Nathan Lyon is added to the group, Hayden sees them as an “awesome foursome” capable of dominating in any situation.

“The trio of Hazlewood, Cummins, and Starc might just be Australia’s best-ever pace attack—even better than McGrath, Gillespie, and Lee—because they’ve bowled more together, in more combinations. Add Nathan Lyon to the mix, and it’s an ‘awesome foursome,” Hayden stated.

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Hayden praises Pat Cummins for skill and discipline

Meanwhile, Hayden also praised Australian skipper Pat Cummins for his disciplined approach, noting how he consistently challenges the off stump, uses the slope and targets the top of the stumps to keep batters playing shots. He also highlighted Cummins’ remarkable achievement of taking over 300 Test wickets, especially impressive given that he didn’t bowl for five and a half years due to injury.

“Cummins does everything right, he challenges the off stump, uses the slope, and targets the top of the stumps, making batters play constantly. He now has over 300 Test wickets despite not bowling for five and a half years due to injury. That’s extraordinary,” he added.

Meanwhile, Australia are in firm control of the WTC Final, holding a commanding 218-run lead at the end of Day 2. Much of the credit goes to their pace trio, who played a key role in bundling out South Africa for just 138 in the second innings.

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