‘BOWLERS HAVE BEGUN TO CLOSE THE GAP WITH BATSMEN'

Aussie pace legend Glenn McGrath on the rigours to survive modern-day cricket.

- KATHAKALI CHANDA

Thirteen years after he quit international cricket, Glenn McGrath hasn’t lost a smidgen of spunk. Asked which batsmen gave him sleepless nights, the Australian seamer shot back, “No one.” McGrath, often called a metronome for his naggingly consistent bowling, isn’t bragging. The man who took a wicket with his last ball in Test cricket at the Sydney Cricket Ground, his home turf, finished as the highest wicket-taker among pacers in Tests, before being overtaken by England’s James Anderson in 2018. His last World Cup in 2007, the third that he won along with his team, was his most prolific as he called time on his career with the Man of the Tournament award. In India as part of a Tourism Australia event, McGrath spoke to Forbes India about his perspectives on modern-day cricket. Edited excerpts:

Q You turned 50 in February. How’s life treating you at 50?

Getting older [laughs]. No, it’s going well. I’m still involved with the game, doing some coaching at the MRF Pace Foundation [in Chennai], so I spend at least six weeks in India. It’s like a second home. I’m doing a bit of commentary as well and enjoying that. My family’s growing up. My son James is 20 and working in New South Wales. My daughter Holly is just starting university in Melbourne. So it’s exciting times for those two... they’ve moved out of home. We’re all happy for them... the only one who isn’t is my four-year-old daughter, who misses her brother and sister.

Q Looking back at your journey, what are some of the most abiding memories?