Glenn McGrath predicts bright future for Josh Hazlewood after five-for on Test debut

Josh Hazlewood was given his baggy green cap by Glenn McGrath

Australian bowling great Glenn McGrath has said that young pacer Josh Hazlewood can enter the 200-wicket club soon if he continues to put in the hard yards and pick up wickets for his country.

Hazlewood received the baggy green from McGrath on Wednesday and went on to pick up a five-wicket haul in his debut Test match against India on day two.

“Without a doubt, now it's up to him,” the 44-year-old said.

"If he continues working hard off the field, improving his game, getting fitter and stronger all the time and never being happy with where he is, he'll get 200 easy."

The 23-year-old Hazlewood became the 33rd Australian fast bowler to pick up a five-wicket haul on Test debut and the 16th to achieve the feat in his debut innings, thereby joining an elite group of bowlers to have accomplished this feat. Only 10 Australian quicks have achieved this milestone.

McGrath believes that Hazlewood has all the potential to become a great fast bowler in the years to come.

"He bowls good areas, bowls a heavy ball, gets bounce on any tracks. He's going to be good.

"He's going to be quality. He's got good control. He may not be quite as quick as Cummins or Pattinson or as in your face aggressive as Patto is, but he'll put pressure on you the whole time.

"He won't give you easy runs. He's prepared to work hard. It'll be hard work scoring runs off him but he's going to take wickets," McGrath concluded.