Australian bowlers face scrutiny

Former Australian fast bowler Damien Fleming has called on Australia to improve their death bowling or face an early exit from the World Cup.

The comments come after Australia failed to defend two scores of over 300 in New Zealand last month on top of the infamous record breaking match in Johannesburg in 2006.

“I think that’s the big challenge, how well they negate the runs in the last 10 overs,” said Fleming.

“It’s definitely going to be a factor on the small fields and the flat tracks over in the West Indies.”

“In my time you always wanted two or three bowlers who could bowl in that situation. I think if you bowl two balls at the same speed, at the same spot you’re going to go (for runs) at this World Cup. The bats they use these days are like elephant’s legs, they’re absolutely massive.”

Fleming also argued that South Australian pace bowler Shaun Tait should be “unleashed” in the West Indies.

“He has to bowl at the death. He has a great yorker. With no Brett Lee so much hinges on Tait’s performance,” he said.