da betano casino： Glenn McGrath’s timeline shows he has been a consistent performer for Australia for more than a decade
Allan Donald05-Jan-2007
‘I haven’t seen another bowler who worked away at you relentlessly and asked questionsevery single ball’ – Allan Donald offers tribute to Glen McGrath © Getty Images
I’ll miss Glenn McGrath’s grumpiness because he was one of the most grumpyfast bowlers I’ve ever known. He was always chatting to himself. The onemoment that I remember most vividly is when he got out when needing fiveto win [at Sydney in 1993-94, where Fanie de Villiers took 6 for 43]. I’llnever forget that, his face and him standing in the middle of the groundat the SCG while Craig McDermott was already halfway to the pavilion.He was just standing there, couldn’t believe what had happened. Thatprobably stood out for me. But there haven’t been many things in McGrath’scareer that have gone that badly wrong.His wife has been very ill as well. He probably feels that it’s time tolook after his family. Both he and his wife have been ultra-positive aboutwhole thing. Deep down, he maybe thinks: ‘Right, I’ve done my bit.’ In myview, he’s done more than that. He did say a couple of months ago that hefelt he had another couple of years left in him. But sometimes, therealisation just hits you all of a sudden. A lot of batsmen around the worldwill say: Thank God. He’s been a very special cricketer, but maybe hefeels it’s the right time.He’s had a terrific career. He’s been a champion, not only for Australiabut for the game of cricket. To fill those boots is going to be almostimpossible. You won’t find a McGrath again. You won’t find another ShaneWarne either. They’re very special individuals.What made him special? Just his absolute skill and the way he wore batsmendown. Once you faced McGrath, he locked you in. You knew that every singleball would be a test. His areas were so much tighter than anyone else’s,and he constantly questioned your ability. Pollock is the only other guy Ican think of who comes close to him. He was accurate and he wore you down.Not many bowlers in cricket history have been as accurate as he is whilebeing able to boast of the sort of record that he has.He had a very uncomplicated action. It wasn’t heavy on the body and hedidn’t hit the crease as hard as most people do. He was a lot like WasimAkram, who also played for a long time. They just kissed the surface.Their actions were so basic that there was not much that could go wrong.Another guy like that was Courtney Walsh, who could have played till hewas 45 [laugh]. The body couldn’t do it anymore, but their uncomplicatedactions gave them a chance. You talk of elasticity and long levers – theytypified that.
‘Once you faced McGrath, he locked you in. You knew that every single ball would be a test. His areas were so much tighter than anyone else’s’ © Getty Images
Even now, I think he’s got a year or two left in him. But maybe the bodyjust doesn’t want to go through it anymore.I haven’t seen another bowler who worked away at you relentlessly and asked questionsevery single ball. It didn’t take him long to work you over. He wasn’tscared to make it public either that he’d be on your case. It made youthink. And he was very quick to back it up. He’s targetted a lot of peoplein his career and knocked them over, no problem whatsoever.Where do Australia go from here? Well, Stuart Clark is right there. He’smatured at the right time. He’s 31, and seems to be a lot like MichaelHussey. Australia have found someone in Clark who can take over the mantlefrom McGrath. He’s already shown that he’s a class bowler, but 560-oddwickets is a long way away. You won’t be able to replace that.