Mellow McGrath has Laxman in his sights
Glenn McGrath has mellowed in his old age
Wisden Cricinfo staff
13-Jul-2005
Glenn McGrath has mellowed in his old age. No needling of the opposition this time around, just quirky remarks, a big smile, and an accommodating presence. But he remains Australia's main man, and as the preparations for the first Test get under way, he is clearly still a force to be reckoned with:
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On India's performance in Australia
They performed better than we expected, because Australia's fast, bouncy wickets are generally not to their liking. But the wickets this time were not as quick and bouncy, and instead they proved to be very good batting tracks.
They performed better than we expected, because Australia's fast, bouncy wickets are generally not to their liking. But the wickets this time were not as quick and bouncy, and instead they proved to be very good batting tracks.
On the secret of success for a fast bowler in India
I have always enjoyed bowling over here - India is definitely a challenge, especially for a fast bowler. So I just focus on the positives of bowling in these conditions. The ball always carries through as the wickets are quite hard, and it generally tends to reverse-swing later in the innings as well. I was pretty happy with the way I bowled last time around. For fast bowlers, it's all about building pressure - it's a huge challenge, and I love it.
I have always enjoyed bowling over here - India is definitely a challenge, especially for a fast bowler. So I just focus on the positives of bowling in these conditions. The ball always carries through as the wickets are quite hard, and it generally tends to reverse-swing later in the innings as well. I was pretty happy with the way I bowled last time around. For fast bowlers, it's all about building pressure - it's a huge challenge, and I love it.
On the Tendulkar factor
It's disappointing Sachin's not going to be there, as I've always enjoy bowling at him, but from the Indian spectator point of view it will be an even bigger loss, as they all love watching him bat. I don't know how long he'll be out, but the focus changes a little without him around, and makes our lives a bit easier. But there are plenty of others to watch, and Laxman and Dravid will be the key.
It's disappointing Sachin's not going to be there, as I've always enjoy bowling at him, but from the Indian spectator point of view it will be an even bigger loss, as they all love watching him bat. I don't know how long he'll be out, but the focus changes a little without him around, and makes our lives a bit easier. But there are plenty of others to watch, and Laxman and Dravid will be the key.
Laxman's a funny cricketer, isn't he? Especially against Australia
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On VVS - the prized wicket
Laxman's a funny cricketer, isn't he? Especially against Australia, if not against other teams. He is a guy we rate very highly, and he's definitely the prize wicket to be had, the guy we really want to get on top of and get out. Last time around he played exceptionally, but our game-plans will be better this time. The hardest part is simply getting him out. The fact is, he has all the shots in the book and he is little bit different from the other Indian batsmen, in the sense that the others tend to play with the spin whereas Laxman is quite comfortable playing across the spin - he'll be hitting Shane [Warne] through midwicket out of the rough, which I don't think any other batsman will try or succeed as well as he does. We probably rated Sachin a little bit higher in the past, so maybe that's the reason why Laxman didn't get his due. But, with Sachin out injured, Laxman and Dravid will be the two key men we will concentrate more on.
Laxman's a funny cricketer, isn't he? Especially against Australia, if not against other teams. He is a guy we rate very highly, and he's definitely the prize wicket to be had, the guy we really want to get on top of and get out. Last time around he played exceptionally, but our game-plans will be better this time. The hardest part is simply getting him out. The fact is, he has all the shots in the book and he is little bit different from the other Indian batsmen, in the sense that the others tend to play with the spin whereas Laxman is quite comfortable playing across the spin - he'll be hitting Shane [Warne] through midwicket out of the rough, which I don't think any other batsman will try or succeed as well as he does. We probably rated Sachin a little bit higher in the past, so maybe that's the reason why Laxman didn't get his due. But, with Sachin out injured, Laxman and Dravid will be the two key men we will concentrate more on.
On the captain, Sourav Ganguly
He has done well against us, and I certainly don't think he is a soft captain, although probably prefers the spinners to the quicks, so we'll be trying to give him a hard time. He needs to get credit for playing an important role when we were here last time. I have enjoyed bowling against Sourav and am ready to go at him again.
He has done well against us, and I certainly don't think he is a soft captain, although probably prefers the spinners to the quicks, so we'll be trying to give him a hard time. He needs to get credit for playing an important role when we were here last time. I have enjoyed bowling against Sourav and am ready to go at him again.
On India's recent performances
The only games we have seen India play recently have been in the one-dayers, where they haven't done really well so their confidence will be down a little bit. But Test cricket is different and India will come at us hard.
The only games we have seen India play recently have been in the one-dayers, where they haven't done really well so their confidence will be down a little bit. But Test cricket is different and India will come at us hard.
On India's spearhead, Irfan Pathan
He's a very good cricketer, a very good fast bowler. He bowled really well in Australian conditions and it will be interesting to see how he does in India. He has a good mind and plenty of aggression, which are qualities a fast bowler needs to do well anywhere, but especially here in India.
He's a very good cricketer, a very good fast bowler. He bowled really well in Australian conditions and it will be interesting to see how he does in India. He has a good mind and plenty of aggression, which are qualities a fast bowler needs to do well anywhere, but especially here in India.
On Australia's last visit to India
I guess I've learned from experience. I've been back to India and the subcontinent a number of times now, so I've learned to look for the best way to approach a situation. There's no point in fighting it, because that doesn't help anyone.
I guess I've learned from experience. I've been back to India and the subcontinent a number of times now, so I've learned to look for the best way to approach a situation. There's no point in fighting it, because that doesn't help anyone.
On the quality of Australia's attack
Is this the best attack we've sent to India? Yes, I think it is. Last time around, Brett [Lee] was injured and didn't make the tour, and so now we've got four fast bowlers who are all fit and injury-free. And then we've also got Shane, who's right back to best. It's his turn to perform out here. His stats on previous tours have maybe not been that good, but he's the one to watch this time.
Is this the best attack we've sent to India? Yes, I think it is. Last time around, Brett [Lee] was injured and didn't make the tour, and so now we've got four fast bowlers who are all fit and injury-free. And then we've also got Shane, who's right back to best. It's his turn to perform out here. His stats on previous tours have maybe not been that good, but he's the one to watch this time.
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On recovering from injury
I thought I'd be back. A lot of people doubted it. The injury I had was those spurs on my ankle, so I had them removed, and once I'd recovered, I believed I'd be as good, if not better, than ever before. The ankle itself probably hasn't felt better in seven or eight years, and my body's back to its best as well. Obviously I'd like some more wickets, but once I've got those under my belt, I won't be far away.
I thought I'd be back. A lot of people doubted it. The injury I had was those spurs on my ankle, so I had them removed, and once I'd recovered, I believed I'd be as good, if not better, than ever before. The ankle itself probably hasn't felt better in seven or eight years, and my body's back to its best as well. Obviously I'd like some more wickets, but once I've got those under my belt, I won't be far away.
Is India the final frontier?
Well, I've been in the Test team for a bit over ten years now, and this is the only series we haven't won. So for the current Test side, then yes, this has to be the ultimate.
Well, I've been in the Test team for a bit over ten years now, and this is the only series we haven't won. So for the current Test side, then yes, this has to be the ultimate.
On the possibility of 100 Test caps (current tally: 97)
For any cricketer, 100 Tests is a big goal, but for a fast bowler - given the strains we put on our bodies - it has to mean that little bit more. So yes, it is a huge goal to play 100 Tests. The wickets come second, I'll worry about those later.
For any cricketer, 100 Tests is a big goal, but for a fast bowler - given the strains we put on our bodies - it has to mean that little bit more. So yes, it is a huge goal to play 100 Tests. The wickets come second, I'll worry about those later.
What about a Test fifty?
You never know what's around the corner. I'm hitting the ball pretty well, and last time I was here I averaged 47, so I was clearly wasted - far too low in the order! But we'll see what we can do this time.
You never know what's around the corner. I'm hitting the ball pretty well, and last time I was here I averaged 47, so I was clearly wasted - far too low in the order! But we'll see what we can do this time.
On the prospect of a last hurrah in the Ashes
Let's hope I get that far for one, and then we'll see what happens. The body feels fine so far, and it'll definitely be a big tour, but if I am still playing, it remains to be seen whether I'll hang my boots up after that. I haven't looked that far in front.
Let's hope I get that far for one, and then we'll see what happens. The body feels fine so far, and it'll definitely be a big tour, but if I am still playing, it remains to be seen whether I'll hang my boots up after that. I haven't looked that far in front.