The Hindu : Sport : McGrath on course

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Sunday, Apr 15, 2007
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McGrath on course

Special Correspondent

He likes the Kensington Oval track

— Photo: AFP

RIGHT ON TOP: Glenn McGrath, who has become the leading wicket-taker in this World Cup, is ready to fire whenever his team wants him to.

Bridgetown: Glenn McGrath's three-wicket haul on Friday made him the highest wicket-taker in the 2007 World Cup thus far with Muttiah Muralitharan and Lasith Malinga in tow.

With 18 wickets from seven matches at 13.05, McGrath's final international cricket tournament is going nicely to plan.

"I'm looking at it as four more matches, and hanging up my boots if all goes well after the final," said McGrath, 37, who has announced that he'll retire from one-day cricket after the World Cup. He retired from Test cricket earlier this year in Sydney.

McGrath made several references to playing the final — Australia is guaranteed a semifinals spot — before he knuckled the wooden table in front of him, and added a "hopefully" clause.

McGrath said the Kensington Oval track was to his liking.

"The wicket was pretty good. It had a lot more bounce than any in the Caribbean. There was a little bit of inconsistency, but hopefully the final there will be a lot more consistency."

"In 1995, there was good carry, and in '99 it was still on. In 2003, it was one of the slowest tracks I've played on. To me that's what the West Indies is about. Growing up in the 80s, I watched four fast bowlers on wickets with pace and carry. So, it's good to have a wicket here that's quick."

Opening the attack

McGrath was given the new ball on Friday — only the second instance this World Cup. Did he think his performance would convince captain Ricky Ponting to hand him the new ball in the final?

"Probably," mouthed Ponting, as McGrath said, "for the final (it depends on) the way the breeze is blowing. Taity will start from that end (Malcolm Marshall) and Bracks (Bracken) probably will use the breeze. Coming in after four or five overs is still good enough for me. Whatever the team needs."

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