Glenn McGrath

When one of the world’s greatest, medium fast bowler retires, at his peak, the world just stands back and applauds. The Australian cricket bowler, called “pigeon” by some and thought of as the marauder by others, Glenn McGrath, can look back at his astounding career and just take a bow. He wore the green baggy cap with pride – becoming a symbol of all that is excellent in the world of cricket and sports as a whole.

Ever since the 1990’s he has dominated the world of cricket. Pushing legendary batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara to the edge. He is part of the great group of four that dominated the world bowling, made up of names like Curtly Ambrose, Wasim Akram and Allan Donald. With his retirement ends an era, of perfection, and of attitude that actually defines every Australian cricket bowler. Every time he came on to demolish the opposition, the vibrant Australian crowd would go in unison, “Ooh ah - Glenn McGrath”. Legends are made of men like these. Together with fellow Australian cricket bowler and maestro Shane Warne, he practically demolished all opposition.

For Glenn McGrath it was always more than bowling for him, most of the time it almost seemed like world dominance. The “in your face” attitude, sheer skill and of course the power that came with it, it almost seemed he was out to get the jugular – and most of the time he did.

Records are best indicators of success, and his, are outstanding. Having played 124 tests he has taken 563 wickets, emerging as the highest wicket taker for a fast bowler in tests. His best figures are an amazing 8 for 24 runs, against Pakistan in Perth!

In the current ashes series, where Australia humiliated England with a whitewash, Glenn McGrath took an astounding 21 wickets in five test matches. He was recalled to the team after being absent for a while because of personal family reasons.

His ODI record is equally outstanding; in 231 encounters, he has taken 344 wickets, having scalped some of the best in the world.

Glenn McGrath began rather quietly in Narromine in New South Wales. Later Doug Walters spotted him and he moved to the bigger game in Sydney. Here he became a part of the state team. Soon enough in 1993 -94, he made his debut against New Zealand at the WACA grounds in Perth.

Over the years, what marked him out was the extraordinary accuracy of bowling. The ball seamed and pitched, with the correct amount of bounce, with a rather high arm action, that was possible because of his 198-inch or 6 feet six inches frame. The added swing action that he used made him difficult to play. Over the years, he really became the pick of the Australian bowlers. What sets him apart his long cricketing career; he is the first Australian fast bowler to play 100 tests! In spite of lanky frame, Glenn McGrath is an extraordinary fielder, he is usually in the outfield, and his throwing arm has been responsible for many a run saved, miraculous catches and run outs.

A word or two has to be said about his batting, he is after all the most successful batsmen coming number 11. Like most specialist bowlers, his batting skills were poor, so he worked hard at the nets to improve. Beginning with two ducks in his debut, he went to have a reasonably respectable score of 66 for a number eleven batsman. Over time, he became difficult to get out and even stood his ground in critical moments to help Australia win a match. Especially memorable is his record tenth wicket stand with Michael Hussey, to win versus South Africa in 2005. There are many dimensions to this lanky Australian cricket bowler. He is one of frontrunners in the campaign against breast cancer. His wife has suffered from it, and he knew first hand the misery that it can cause.

Glenn McGrath, is an essence of a life that is truly well lived. There are very few who have the courage to retire when they are at the very peak of the game, and he did. That reflects the way that he lived his life and played the game.

Over and Out
Cricket: Leader: The approach of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne will remain seared into the memories of every cricketer who faced them and every fan who watched.

The Ashes: Vic Marks on the End of an Era
Cricket: After a combined career that has enjoyed 963 wickets in 102 Tests, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath will call it a day after the Ashes.

The Ashes: Pietersen Turns Screw on Mcgrath
Cricket: Kevin Pietersen's brutal treatment of Glenn McGrath could spell the end for the fast-bowling legend, writes Vic Marks.

The Ashes: Glenn Mcgrath a Doubt for Second Test
Cricket: Australian seamer facing a battle to be fit for second Test in Adelaide.

Why Mcgrath is Still a Great
Cricket: Glenn McGrath may be nearing the end of his career but, as his six for 50 proved, he's still got a lot left in the tank. By Vic Marks

McGrath Leaves England in Tatters
Cricket: The Ashes: Australia lead by 626 after a truly awful day for England in Brisbane.

Glenn Mcgrath Leaves England in Desperate Trouble in the First Ashes Test
Cricket: The Ashes: Two late wickets from Glenn McGrath has left England with an almost impossible task of saving the first Test.

Cricket: Mcgrath Returns to Do What He Does Best
James Anderson may be a No11 batsman but in one over to him, Glenn McGrath reminded us why he is so good. By Kevin Mitchell

Cricket: Mcgrath Faces Battle Against Clock
Though Glenn McGrath is as hungry and committed as ever, his body is beginning to let him down, says Kevin Mitchell.

Glenn Mcgrath
Cricket: As Glenn McGrath starts mouthing off his usual pre-series banalities, an indignant Mike Selvey feels a letter to the Times coming on.

Mr Perfects Risk Spoiling It All With Delayed Exits
They were the masters of their domains but the reluctance of McGrath, Schumacher and Keane to bow out gracefully is doing them no favours, writes Kevin Mitchell.

McGrath Makes History
Cricket: McGrath has now become the most successful fast bowler in the world.

McGrath Fit for Decider
Cricket: The Ashes: Glenn McGrath has been passed fit and named in Australia's side for tomorrow's final Test at the Oval.

Cricket: Bell Urges the Return of Mcgrath
England's most inexperienced batsman Ian Bell has taken the slightly odd step of calling for the speedy recovery of Glenn McGrath in time for the fourth test.

Jones Slams 'selfish' Mcgrath
Cricket: The Ashes: Former Australian batsman Dean Jones has criticised Glenn McGrath for not ruling himself out of the fourth Test sooner.

Australia Hopeful of Mcgrath Recovery
Cricket: The Ashes: Australia are confident Glenn McGrath will be fit for the fourth Test, but have dumped Jason Gillespie for Shaun Tait.

McGrath Out of Second Test
Cricket: The Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath will miss the second Ashes Test after suffering an injury little more than an hour before the start of the match.

Three Displays of Near-perfection
Golf: Mike Selvey compares Glenn McGrath's outstanding display at Lord's to recent great performances from Dan Carter and Tiger Woods.

The Ashes: Vintage Pair Bowl Over England
Cricket: Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath have so far made the most of the 2005 Ashes, which is the opportunity for the last big performances of their careers, writes Richard Williams.

Cricket: Mcgrath Ends Sorry England Tale
Glenn McGrath and Australia wasted little time in completing a convincing 239-run victory in the first Test at Lord's.

McGrath Hurls England Back to Earth
Cricket: Glenn McGrath ruthlessly undermined England's initially commanding position as the Ashes got off to a tumultuous start.

McGrath Rips England Apart
Cricket: The Ashes: Glenn McGrath took five wickets as England were reduced to 92-7, chasing Australia's 190.

McGrath Stirs Up Strauss Mind Games
Cricket: Australian bowler Glenn McGrath claims the plaudits coming the way of Andrew Strauss will have a detrimental effect ahead of the Ashes.

Cricket: Mcgrath Tames Flying Kiwis
The first Test between New Zealand and Australia is perfectly poised after Glenn McGrath took six quick wickets.

Cricket: Mcgrath Soaks Up Indian Summer
A trained carpenter, Glenn McGrath has spent most of his 99 Tests running up and demolishing wood. His 100th will be no different.

McGrath Keeps the Pressure on
Cricket: Glenn McGrath finished with four wickets as India were bowled out for 246 on the third day of the first Test in Bangalore.

Cricket: Mcgrath Mischief Stirs the Ashes
Glenn McGrath doesn't want to talk about the Ashes yet because it's too early to say whether Australia will win 4-0 or 5-0.

McGrath bowls chilling warning
Australia v Namibia: The Aussies will be hoping to reopen some old English scars after inflicting many new wounds on Namibia.

McGrath to Miss Fifth Test
Dec 31: England's hopes of averting a whitewash after their spirited late rally at the MCG will be lifted further by news that Glenn McGrath will miss the final Test in Sydney with a strain. The blouse.

McGrath stirs up ill feeling with Sri Lanka
Australia stepped up their psychological battle with Sri Lanka as Glenn McGrath joined a campaign to unsettle the tourists before their match in Perth on Sunday.

Glenn Mcgrath: Bushfire Hero
December 5: But for the intervention of his fast bowler, Australia captain Steve Waugh could have ended up with more ashes than he'd ever bargained for.

Throwing stones is a good start
That catch by Glenn McGrath in Adelaide - six feet six inches of horizontal fast bowler clinging on to dismiss a disbelieving Michael Vaughan - might have been mistaken for a fluke. Those who know Australian cricket know better.

McGrath Strikes to Open Old Wounds
November 10: The old tormentor, Glenn McGrath soon overcame England's left-handed resistance yesterday morning as the Aussies struck back.

McGrath adjusts his Ashes sights to new bunny Vaughan
Glenn McGrath is looking for a new toy. For the first time in his Ashes Test career he will not have Mike Atherton to play with this winter, the former England opener having waved the white flag after being dismissed 19 times in 17 Tests by McGrath.

Australia head towards Pakistan whitewash
Cricket: Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne demolished Pakistan yet again in the third day of the final Test.