Warriors skipper Marcus North has likened Steve Magoffin to Glenn McGrath, saying the WA paceman's 10-wicket haul against the Blues shows he's capable of playing for the national team.
Speaking after the Warriors claimed a comfortable eight-wicket victory over New South Wales on the final day of their Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield clash, North said Magoffin's hauls of 4-36 and 6-66 would probably put him on the national selector's radar.
"He's Mr. reliable and he bowled beautifully this game," said North.
"(He) has to be close to getting a call up for his country. He's not a bowler that's had one good season or five good matches, this guy's putting (in) season after season after season."
"Glenn McGrath, one of the best ever, kept it simple, (he was) Mr. Reliable, hit line and length, the odd one seamed, one didn't, but the pressure never let up and that's something that Steve Magoffin does and he's doing it better than anyone else in this country at the moment."
North said Magoffin's impressive performance and a solid contribution from debutant paceman Arron Crawford (3-36 and 1-59) in frontline bowler Ben Edmondson's absence was an indication WA had the bowling depth to challenge for the Shield this season.
"I think you'd find that NSW and Victoria last year had successful campaigns in this format because they've got depth and depth in their bowlers," North said.
"If we can keep our guys (fit), we've certainly got depth and we showed that today with this game with Edmondson missing out through a strained thigh, we've got (Trent) Kelly and Crawford that's come in and made an impressive debut."
"If we can keep a core of our quicks fit, that's going to be extremely important to a successful four day campaign, 'cause you need to get 20 wickets in this competition to win games."
North also said the new opening combination of Shaun Marsh and Liam Davis, stepping in for Justin Langer (retired) and Chris Rogers (moved to Victoria) also did the job when it really counted.
He said the pair's second innings was vital to the win as they came in late on the third day, taking the shine off the new ball and moving the score to 0-52 by stumps as WA chased 223 for an outright win.
The openers eventually put on 79 before Davis was trapped in front by Grant Lambert for 41 but North felt their efforts were a massive psychological blow to the Blues' pace attack, as early wickets were vital going into a final day where the pitch proved to be an excellent batting strip.
"To go out there when you've got an hour and a half, a couple of hours to bat or an hour to bat and to walk away none for 50 really puts a dent in their confidence and takes the wind out of them," North said.
"At the moment we're just so solid as a team (and) it was absolutely no surprise to me and to the other team-mates that those guys went out and did that job."
Marsh went on to make 74 not out as he played a cautious innings that helped WA to its outright win, with Luke Pomersbach dominating the Blues' bowlers in an explosive 78 from 74 deliveries.
Marsh is also expected to be fit for Sunday's Shield clash with Tasmania after being struck on the hand during the match, although Davis may be in some doubt after breaking his toe.
Speaking after the Warriors claimed a comfortable eight-wicket victory over New South Wales on the final day of their Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield clash, North said Magoffin's hauls of 4-36 and 6-66 would probably put him on the national selector's radar.
"He's Mr. reliable and he bowled beautifully this game," said North.
"(He) has to be close to getting a call up for his country. He's not a bowler that's had one good season or five good matches, this guy's putting (in) season after season after season."
"Glenn McGrath, one of the best ever, kept it simple, (he was) Mr. Reliable, hit line and length, the odd one seamed, one didn't, but the pressure never let up and that's something that Steve Magoffin does and he's doing it better than anyone else in this country at the moment."
North said Magoffin's impressive performance and a solid contribution from debutant paceman Arron Crawford (3-36 and 1-59) in frontline bowler Ben Edmondson's absence was an indication WA had the bowling depth to challenge for the Shield this season.
"I think you'd find that NSW and Victoria last year had successful campaigns in this format because they've got depth and depth in their bowlers," North said.
"If we can keep our guys (fit), we've certainly got depth and we showed that today with this game with Edmondson missing out through a strained thigh, we've got (Trent) Kelly and Crawford that's come in and made an impressive debut."
"If we can keep a core of our quicks fit, that's going to be extremely important to a successful four day campaign, 'cause you need to get 20 wickets in this competition to win games."
North also said the new opening combination of Shaun Marsh and Liam Davis, stepping in for Justin Langer (retired) and Chris Rogers (moved to Victoria) also did the job when it really counted.
He said the pair's second innings was vital to the win as they came in late on the third day, taking the shine off the new ball and moving the score to 0-52 by stumps as WA chased 223 for an outright win.
The openers eventually put on 79 before Davis was trapped in front by Grant Lambert for 41 but North felt their efforts were a massive psychological blow to the Blues' pace attack, as early wickets were vital going into a final day where the pitch proved to be an excellent batting strip.
"To go out there when you've got an hour and a half, a couple of hours to bat or an hour to bat and to walk away none for 50 really puts a dent in their confidence and takes the wind out of them," North said.
"At the moment we're just so solid as a team (and) it was absolutely no surprise to me and to the other team-mates that those guys went out and did that job."
Marsh went on to make 74 not out as he played a cautious innings that helped WA to its outright win, with Luke Pomersbach dominating the Blues' bowlers in an explosive 78 from 74 deliveries.
Marsh is also expected to be fit for Sunday's Shield clash with Tasmania after being struck on the hand during the match, although Davis may be in some doubt after breaking his toe.
