Fleming sees a McGrath in Ishant Sharma

Melbourne: Ishant Sharma continues to win admirers with latest being former Australian pacer Damien Fleming, who even went to the extent of comparing the lanky Delhi youngster with legendary Glenn McGrath.

Fleming believed that Ishant has it in him to join the 500 Test-wicket club, provided he stays away from injuries.

Ishant, who has 34 wickets from 11 Tests at an average of 31.17, has troubled the Australian batsmen right from India's tour Down Under earlier this year to the ongoing four-Test series.

"He ticked off a lot of things that I loved in Glenn McGrath. He was tall; he also has a solid action, so he maximises his bounce. He is swinging the new ball a bit, he is swinging the old ball a lot and he also has a good change of pace now. He has got one of the best slower balls going around," Fleming said.

"He didn't have that 18 months ago. What that says to me is this kid has some great physical attributes, but he has obviously got some great mental attributes as well," he was quoted as saying in the Herald Sun.

Fleming feels Ishant, 20, is definitely a material for the elite 500 Test wicket club.

"That is such an advantage for a fast bowler there. So if he doesn't get injured, we are looking at a 400 to 500-wicket Test bowler. I think he is that good. He has genuine pace and all the variety as well," he said.

Ishant and Zaheer Khan have tormented the Aussie batsmen in the first two Tests with their ability to reverse swing the ball very early in the innings.