Perth: Australian fast bowling legend Dennis Lillee on Friday described as 'incredible' a claim by England cricket captain Nasser Hussain that he had the firepower to match Australia's potent pace attack in this summer's Ashes series. Lillee (355 Test wickets in a 70-match career from 1970 to 1984) said, "Hussain's suggestion that England had the pace to fight 'fire with fire' against Australia caused me to gag on my cornflakes." "My old mate Rod Marsh (former Australian wicket-keeper) for years referred to England's pace attack as pie-throwers, and it's hard to argue given the Poms' long run of outs in Ashes series going back to 1989," Lillee wrote in The West Australian. Hussain claimed that between them his touring fast brigade of Darren Gough, Andy Caddick, Andy Flintoff, Matthew Hoggard, Simon Jones and Steve Harmison could match it with Australian firebrands Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee. "You've certainly got to admire Hussain's bravado in the face of seemingly impossible odds," Lillee said. "But hopes that Gough, after three knee operations, can lead the England attack for five Test matches on rock-hard Australian grounds, seems pretty optimistic to me. "As the only one of six England fast bowlers who has previously toured Australia, a lot is going to be asked of Gough. Provided he stands up, Gough should generate enough enthusiasm and pace to threaten Australia's star-studded batting line-up. "But who is going to back him up? It's fine to plan for an Ashes tour with great gusto, but it all depends on the quality of the bowlers a captain has at his disposal." England has not won the Ashes since 1986-87.

Tags: cricket, perth, australian fast bowling legend dennis lillee, england captain nasser hussain, ashes series, rod marsh, darren gough, andy caddick, andy flintoff, matthew hoggard, simon jones, steve harmison, glenn mcgrath, jason gillespie, brett lee.