Glenn McGrath: Some Interesting Facts About One of The Greatest Fast Bowler Ever

Glenn McGrath, one of the leading contributors in Australia’s dominance in International Cricket and a fast bowler with the most number of Test wickets under his belt has turned 48 today, and the legacy McGrath has left behind after his retirement is the one thing that every Cricket fan will cherish for life.

Born on 9th February, 1970 his journey from rags to riches has inspired many and from living in a caravan to becoming one of the most feared bowlers in the World, Glenn McGrath has destroyed several records and made many new ones during his stint with the Australian team from the 1990’s to the early 2000’s.

McGrath’s bowling was not about pace, rather he relied on the unmatched accuracy and subtle seam movement. These two qualities combined with his wicket taking ability and variations, made him one of the most economical and dangerous fast bowlers ever seen in cricketing history.

Fast bowlers aren’t usually blessed with a very long career but his uncomplicated method, traditional approach and natural fitness helped him in registering some of the biggest and the baddest spells of all time. While batsmen from all around the world tasted dust against him, Glenn McGrath’s on-pitch rivalry with Sachin Tendulkar was and is still one of the biggest collisions we ever ever saw.

On his 48th Birthday, we would like to acknowledge his contribution to International Cricket and share some interesting facts about One of The Greatest Fast Bowler Ever. 

1. Glenn McGrath played for Delhi Daredevils in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2008. The next year he was retained in the squad, however, the team management preferred Dirk Nannes over him. Nannes was heard saying “I will tell my grandchildren that I was responsible for keeping out the greatest fast bowler of all times of a playing XI”.
2. Glenn McGrath has dismissed 104 batsmen on duck, the most by any fast bowler.
3. He also holds the record of most wickets by a fast bowler in International Cricket (949) while Wasim Akram comes next with 919. In Test Cricket, Glenn McGrath is also the most prolific seamer with 563 dismissal under his belt, including 29 five-wickets hauls and 3 ten-wickets hauls.
4. McGrath was part of seven highest 10th wicket partnership, two of them being 100+ ones.
5. He was dismissed 35 times on a duck, the most by any Australian and one more than Shane Warne.
6. Glenn McGrath has played in four World Cup tournament and has an impressive win-loss record of 3-1. He was part of the 1996 World Cup team that lost against Sri Lanka and interestingly, in his last World Cup tournament in 2007, Australia defeated Sri Lanka to grab the title.
7. When it comes to World Cup Tournament, Glenn McGrath is still at the top with 71 wickets at an average of 18.19 in 39 matches.
8. He registered a 61-runs stand against New Zealand in 2005, the third highest by any No.11 batsman. At one time, he was the leading No.11 batsmen in Test Cricket with a tally of 603 runs at an average of 7.63, before Muttiah Muralitharan dethroned him with a narrow margin of 20 runs.
9. McGrath registered the second best figures by an Australian bowler after claiming 8 wickets and conceding just 24 runs against Pakistan, in October 2004.
10. Glenn McGrath dismissed former England captain, Michael Atherton 19 times in Test Cricket, the most by a Test bowler against a single batsman.

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