Former West Indies fast bowler Franklyn Rose said young pacer Oshane Thomas "looks overweight" and needs to work really hard on his fitness if he is to be able to maintain his pace and prolong his career at the highest level. 

Having played 19 Tests and 27 ODIs for the Calypso Kings between 1997 and 2000, Rose feels concerned over the fitness levels of Thomas, who is currently in England as part of reserve options for West Indies' three-Test series, beginning July 8. 

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"I am a bit concerned because he (Thomas) looks overweight to me," Rose was quoted as saying by ‘Jamaica gleaner’. "I never met the guy, but I know he has a lot of talent, and that’s why the Windies have taken him to England on tour. But he needs to keep working hard and be hungrier for success."

The 23-year-old Thomas hasn't yet played in a Test match, but has turned up in 20 ODIs and 12 T20Is, with the ability to bowl above 90mph being the stand-out feature of his bowling. 

Rose, however, doubts whether Thomas will be able to maintain that for long with his current fitness standards. 

"If I come on the scene bowling 90 miles per hour, I would want to maintain that for another five years. The question is, can he maintain that speed at the highest level if he is not at peak fitness?"

“I can see that he has a lot of talent, and let me be clear, this is not about bashing Oshane Thomas. It is about helping him to achieve his optimum in cricket."

He took an example from his own career to stress home the point. 

"I was a lazy cricketer, and I realised later on that it’s all about hard work," said Rose. "Sometimes, as fast bowlers, we get up and don’t feel like training, but you have to think about the big bucks and the success that’s ahead of you, and you have to have self-motivation and discipline to push on."

(Inputs from PTI)