SYDNEY, Oct 20: Waqar Younis, former Pakistan cricket captain and fast bowler, says Australian team’s fortunes could take a nosedive in the future if they don’t consider possibility of hiring a specialist fast bowling coach.

Waqar, who now lives in Sydney, told ABC Sport: “Definitely Australians are going to struggle, by looking at what they’ve done in the Ashes, after Glenn McGrath goes.

“Australian board has got to think very quickly and very hard if they can bring some of their old fast bowlers to come and coach youngsters, because I see a lot of problems in youngsters.”

Since Australia lost the Ashes this summer, and particularly in light of the failure of most of their bowlers apart from McGrath and Shane Warne, calls for specialist coaches in Australian team have become louder.

McGrath and Jason Gillespie, urged Cricket Australia to follow lead of England, who have employed former Tasmania fast bowler Troy Cooley for the past two years.

Waqar, who ended his career with 373 wickets in 87 Tests, said Australia would have to take similar initiative to ensure future development of its young fast bowlers.

“I think Brett Lee is probably one of the guys who can learn a bit more,” he said.

“He’s doing well, but there’s something missing.”

Waqar was on verge of assuming position of bowling coach for Pakistan earlier this year.

However, disagreements over length of his tenure — Waqar wanted a permanent position while Pakistan board was willing to offer it only on a series-by-series basis — meant he was never appointed.—PPI