Ishant Sharma's exploits with the ball earned him an admirer in Sir Richard Hadlee who described the beanpole Indian as a very "special bowler".

"Ishant is a top line performer in the future if not already," Hadlee said. "I was impressed when he burst on to the scene in Australia and hurried the batsmen up. Physically he is tall and imposing. He runs in hard and fast and has got a good, high action. He has skills with the ball," said the former all-rounder who is excited about what the gangling quick could do five years from now.