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McGrath climbs yet another peak

CLASS APART: Glenn McGrath (left) is enjoying a wonderful finish to his career, having taken a staggering 25 wickets so far in the World Cup.

GROS ISLET (St. Lucia): Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath became the leading wicket taker in a single World Cup after taking three dismissals on Wednesday in the crushing seven-wicket semifinal victory over South Africa.

The 37-year-old McGrath, who will retire at the end of the tournament, passed Sri Lankan seamer Chaminda Vaas' record of 23 when he took the second of his three wickets.

Despite his success in the Caribbean, McGrath insisted on Wednesday he would retire after Saturday's final.

Overtakes Vaas

McGrath's total of 25 wickets at this tournament have come at an average of 13.04 runs each from 10 games. Vaas had set the record at the 2003 tournament in South Africa.

McGrath took three for 18 in eight overs at the Beausejour Stadium, playing a crucial role in dismissing South Africa for 149 and reserving Australia's place in the final against Sri Lanka in Barbados.

"I always love playing South Africa, they're up for a good battle. They are quite an aggressive side," he said.

"There's just one side I enjoy less losing against than South Africa," he said in a clear reference to traditional enemy England.

McGrath retired from Test cricket earlier this year by taking the last England wicket of a triumphant 5-0 sweep that saw Australia reclaim the Ashes it lost two years earlier in England.

The tall New South Wales bowler has now taken 70 wickets in World Cups since 1996. He is now 15 ahead of retired Pakistani quick Wasim Akram.

Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan briefly overtook McGrath on Tuesday with four wickets in the victory over New Zealand.

On Wednesday, McGrath stuck to the simple routine that has made him one of the world's leading bowlers since he made his debut for Australia in 1993, finding perfect line and length in the batsmens' "corridor of uncertainty" outside off stump.

Legacy safe

McGrath agreed to stay on to help Australia's bid to win an unprecedented third successive World Cup and said the legacy of Australian pace bowling was safe.

"We have plenty of fast bowling options. Look at the four bowlers here, we have different kinds of bowlers who complement each other," he said.

McGrath said batsmen seemed to be anxious to face him rather than the others.

"With (Nathan) Bracken and (Shaun) Tait bowling the way they are, I normally come on with couple of wickets down. The way these two have bowled, it seems the batsmen prefer to get to the other end to face me." — AP

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