Really? At the moment I don't see that Clark is any worse than McGrath. Despite your protestations, Clark is just as accurate, if you'll look at his pitchmaps- in fact, he consistently bowls a tighter line than McGrath, so you can argue that he actually makes the batsmen play the ball more than McGrath ever did. On top of that, he's got a great bouncer, and he gets more swing. In short, in the form that he's in, I'd say that Clark is easily the equal of McGrath at his peak, and time will tell whether he can retain his form.

I know you have and I certainly recall defending Lee at some point! But and it's a big but, what impact did McGrath have on Lee? You and I both know that bowlers bowl in partnerships and in the same way that Ntini (another bowler I dislike quite intensely) benefitted hugely from bowling with Pollock, Lee has benefitted from bowling with McGrath.

Will be interesting to take a look at Lee's figures post and pre McGrath days.

Lee's always been better suited to ODI Cricket in my mind than Test Cricket and I beleive his stats support that.

I don't think it's harsh, but my point was, Clark is no McGrath and he never will be. He's done well so far in the games he's played in but I don't think he's really been tested yet. Take a look at his average against Bangladesh

Well I think Mahmood has a part to play in England future, but he's too much of a liability at the moment to be selected, and England do need pace in their attack, but not without control.

He's played 15 games, lets see how he's doing after 50 if he's still around, and lets see how he does in a LOSING Australia side rather than a peacock strutting arrogant one.

(a) He is in his thirties and I think he has a good realisation he will probably only have another 3 years in him, and that his spot will be pressured by Ben Hilfenhaus, Peter Siddle and Doug Bollinger.

(b) I doubt that with exception to your dreams Australia will go from 16 straight wins to 16 straight losses. A "LOSING" Australian side will probably be winning more games than some of the over pumped perpetual "gonna fire someday" sides that seem to be in a never ending state of re-building.

This is the number 1 criticism launched against Australia's bowling attack by people who haven't actually watched Australia play for the last 5 years. Lee consistently bowls a good line and length these days at good pace, and ever since the 05 ASHES series he's been a top class test bowler taking 108 wickets at an average of 24.02 (not including his matches against Bangladesh and the World team), and taking 46 wickets at 20.37 post McGrath and Warne. The criticisms that he's inconsistent, wayward and is a two length bowler have been obsolete for a couple of years now. He's not nearly as wayward as bloody Johnson, who hasn't really made the step up from an economical one-day bowler to a wicket-taking test bowler.

I'm actually liking the look of Hilfenhaus and Bollinger more than Johnson, but I may be a little biased there.

Far worse, and you're doing Lee a severe injustice.