da apostebet： Glenn McGrath has been there and done that in his decade-and-a-half atthe top, but as he embarks on the final chapter of his mighty career he has one final goal in mind
Andrew Miller in St Kitts13-Mar-2007
Glenn McGrath is No. 2 in the all-time list of World Cup wicket-takers. And he’s not finished yet © Getty Images
Glenn McGrath has been there and done that in his decade-and-a-half atthe top, but as he embarks on the final chapter of his mighty career he has one final goal in mind. The man who bowed out inJanuary as the leading fast bowler in Test history, with 563 scalps, is now aiming to overhaul Wasim Akram as the most successfulbowler in World Cup history.Australia begin their World Cup defence against Scotland atthe picturesque Warner Park in St Kitts on Wednesday, and McGrath was in afamiliarly laid-back mood as he set out his wish-list for hisinternational swansong. “I noticed I’m No. 2 in World Cup wickets,” hesaid during Australia’s final practice session. “Wasim, whoI think was one of the best bowlers of all time, is on top with 55 soit would be nice to get a couple in front by the end of the tournament.”McGrath is currently on 45, a haul spread over three tournaments since1995-96, in which time Australia has lost just four matches out of 28and never failed to reach the final. McGrath has yet to miss a match, although at the age of 37, and now often deprived of hisbeloved new ball, his record could yet come under scrutiny in theweeks ahead, especially if Australia fail to arrest their recent runof five consecutive ODI defeats.Naturally, McGrath would not countenance such a notion, and citedAustralia’s five-wicket warm-up win over England at St Vincent last week asevidence that his side was returning to its best. “That was back tobusiness as usual,” he said, “so hopefully we’ll continue fromthere. Personally, my body’s going real good. I’ve never felt betterand the mind’s hanging in there as well. I’ve got seven weeks to playsome good cricket and then I’ll hang up the boots very comfortably.”As for his demotion to the first-change slot, McGrath wasphilosophical. “I think it’s what’s best for the team,” he said.”Twenty overs of powerplays does change the game, and with Taity[Shaun Tait] coming into the team, he’d probably hope to bowl two orthree first-up and it’d be nice to pick up a wicket with his expresspace.”I think it’ll work really well for us,” McGrath said. “On thewickets over here, sometimes the quicker you bowl the easier it is forthe batsman. So I’ll be looking to hit the deck with my pace, thencome back with the old ball, a bit of reverse-swing, and bowl a fewoffcutters, legcutters and slower balls. I think it’ll suit my stylevery well.”McGrath admitted he was “amazed” by therehabilitation of their key allrounder, Andrew Symonds, who had toundergo surgery after tearing a biceps during the CB Series last month.
With Symonds returning to fitness, Australia’s plans are slotting into place © Getty Images
“When he did it in Sydney, I thought he had no chance,” McGrath said.”Maybe he’d get a game or two by the end of the World Cup. But the wayhe’s progressed – he’s catching, he’s having throwdowns – I can’tbelieve his progress. Hopefully he’ll continue that way, although it’sa bit different working at about 50-60% in practice, and 100% in agame situation.”Even so, Symonds’ gentle return to form and fitness mirrorsAustralia’s run-in to this World Cup. Practice matches against Englandand Zimbabwe, followed by consecutive fixtures against the minnows,Scotland and Holland, represent an ideal chance to build ahead of the big showdown with South Africa on March 24. “We’velost five in a row,” said McGrath, “so we start at the bottom and hopeto finish at the top in the end.”McGrath’s surname implies a hint of Celt in his genes, although heexplained his ancestory is Northern Irish, rather than Scottish. Evenso, he is reasonably familiar with these opponents, having met them inthe World Cup once before, in 1999, when by McGrath’s own admission,Australia “didn’t play very well, but came away with a win”. On thatoccasion McGrath finished with 1 for 32 from nine overs.”It probably would be one of the biggest upsets world cricket hasseen,” he said when asked about the prospect of defeat, “but hopefully it won’t happen.”Australia (probable) 1 Adam Gilchrist (wk), 2 Matthew Hayden, 3Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Brad Hodge, 5 Michael Hussey, 6 Michael Clarke, 7Shane Watson, 8 Brad Hogg, 9 Nathan Bracken, 10 Glenn McGrath, 11Shaun Tait.Scotland (probable) 1 Fraser Watts, 2 Majid Haq, 3 Ryan Watson,4 Gavin Hamilton, 5 Neil McCallum, 6 Dougie Brown, 7 Colin Smith (wk),8 Craig Wright (capt), 9 John Blain, 10 Ross Lyons, 11 Paul Hoffmann.