Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1998, Wisden Australia Cricketer of the Year 1999, Allan Border Medalist 2000, Test Player of the year 2000, One Day International Player of the year 2001, Wisden Australia Cricketer of the year 2005-06. These are just a few of his accolades that he has received over the years in this game. Having earned the title of ‘One of the best fast bowlers’ in the history of the game, this man has no bounds as to how much he has achieved in just a matter of time. This living legend is none other than Glenn Donald McGrath, the eldest and the most experienced person in the Australian side. After playing for New South Wales for a couple of seasons, his international cricketing career started in 1993, when he was picked into the Australian test team, replacing the all time great Merv Hughes. Although after showing a promising character, he didn’t make the impact that he wanted to at first but as he got better in his line and length, the no. of wickets in his kitty started increasing as well and soon became a nightmare to all his victims. His specialty is to take the big wickets of the opposition, his favorites being Mike Atherton and Brian Lara.
An unremitting off-stump line and an immaculate length with effective pace and bounce is what makes this Right Arm Feast-Medium different from the rest. Along with being a regular wicket taker in matches, he is one of the most economical bowlers as well. In tests he has an economy of 2.5 runs per over and in One Day Internationals, that form of cricket where even the most consistent of bowlers sometimes get battered and bashed, McGrath holds an astonishing economy of only 3.86. Rare are the occasions when one will actually see him get hit all around the ground and even if he is hit for a boundary, he makes sure that he gets back at him with a gem of a delivery. Records have tumbled when McGrath has bowled on his day. During the World Cup 2003, he outclassed the Namibians with figures of 7 for 15 and made the minnows taste the Australian curry. McGrath rewrote Test History as well after becoming the highest wicket taker among the fast bowlers after surpassing Courtney Walsh’s tally of 519 wickets.
But life has not always been fair to McGrath. Although his bowling form has never seemed out of shape, his obituary has been prepared a few times. He was doubted after coming back in 2004 from ankle surgery which even threatened his chances of reaching 500 wickets and there were similar fears two years later following a long lay-off to care for his wife, Jane when she had been diagnosed with cancer. But as always, he came back into the side and once again brought out amazing results. In 2004, he became the first fast bowler to play 100 matches in the Baggy Green and only three months later, he knocked down the brittle Pakistani side with figures of 8 for 24, the second-best figures by an Australian. Nicknamed the title ‘Pigeon’ and ‘Millard’, McGrath is also well known for his batting as well. He has gained the highest number of ducks by a No. 11 Australian but surprisingly, has also scored 61 at that position, his only fifty and the 3rd highest score by a No.11. batsman.
After helping Australia whitewash England with a 5-0 victory in the Ashes and retrieving the urn, McGrath announced his retirement from test cricket and bid goodbye at his home ground, the SCG after scalping his 563rd and final test wicket. The World Cup 2007 will be his final international tour after which he will bid adieu to cricket and become a full time-husband and dad.
Recent Discussions