Australia v Scotland, Group A, Basseterre

McGrath desperate to finish on a high

Andrew Miller in St Kitts

March 13, 2007

Glenn McGrath is No. 2 in the all-time list of World Cup wicket-takers. And he's not finished yet © Getty Images

Glenn McGrath has been there and done that in his decade-and-a-half at the top, but as he embarks on the final chapter of his mighty career he has one final goal in mind. The man who bowed out in January as the leading fast bowler in Test history, with 563 scalps, is now aiming to overhaul Wasim Akram as the most successful bowler in World Cup history.

Australia begin their World Cup defence against Scotland at the picturesque Warner Park in St Kitts on Wednesday, and McGrath was in a familiarly laid-back mood as he set out his wish-list for his international swansong. "I noticed I'm No. 2 in World Cup wickets," he said during Australia's final practice session. "Wasim, who I think was one of the best bowlers of all time, is on top with 55 so it would be nice to get a couple in front by the end of the tournament."

McGrath is currently on 45, a haul spread over three tournaments since 1995-96, in which time Australia has lost just four matches out of 28 and never failed to reach the final. McGrath has yet to miss a match, although at the age of 37, and now often deprived of his beloved new ball, his record could yet come under scrutiny in the weeks ahead, especially if Australia fail to arrest their recent run of five consecutive ODI defeats.

Naturally, McGrath would not countenance such a notion, and cited Australia's five-wicket warm-up win over England at St Vincent last week as evidence that his side was returning to its best. "That was back to business as usual," he said, "so hopefully we'll continue from there. Personally, my body's going real good. I've never felt better and the mind's hanging in there as well. I've got seven weeks to play some good cricket and then I'll hang up the boots very comfortably."

As for his demotion to the first-change slot, McGrath was philosophical. "I think it's what's best for the team," he said. "Twenty overs of powerplays does change the game, and with Taity [Shaun Tait] coming into the team, he'd probably hope to bowl two or three first-up and it'd be nice to pick up a wicket with his express pace.

"I think it'll work really well for us," McGrath said. "On the wickets over here, sometimes the quicker you bowl the easier it is for the batsman. So I'll be looking to hit the deck with my pace, then come back with the old ball, a bit of reverse-swing, and bowl a few offcutters, legcutters and slower balls. I think it'll suit my style very well."

McGrath admitted he was "amazed" by the rehabilitation of their key allrounder, Andrew Symonds, who had to undergo surgery after tearing a biceps during the CB Series last month.

With Symonds returning to fitness, Australia's plans are slotting into place © Getty Images

"When he did it in Sydney, I thought he had no chance," McGrath said. "Maybe he'd get a game or two by the end of the World Cup. But the way he's progressed - he's catching, he's having throwdowns - I can't believe his progress. Hopefully he'll continue that way, although it's a bit different working at about 50-60% in practice, and 100% in a game situation."

Even so, Symonds' gentle return to form and fitness mirrors Australia's run-in to this World Cup. Practice matches against England and Zimbabwe, followed by consecutive fixtures against the minnows, Scotland and Holland, represent an ideal chance to build ahead of the big showdown with South Africa on March 24. "We've lost five in a row," said McGrath, "so we start at the bottom and hope to finish at the top in the end."

McGrath's surname implies a hint of Celt in his genes, although he explained his ancestory is Northern Irish, rather than Scottish. Even so, he is reasonably familiar with these opponents, having met them in the World Cup once before, in 1999, when by McGrath's own admission, Australia "didn't play very well, but came away with a win". On that occasion McGrath finished with 1 for 32 from nine overs.

"It probably would be one of the biggest upsets world cricket has seen," he said when asked about the prospect of defeat, "but hopefully it won't happen."

Australia (probable) 1 Adam Gilchrist (wk), 2 Matthew Hayden, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Brad Hodge, 5 Michael Hussey, 6 Michael Clarke, 7 Shane Watson, 8 Brad Hogg, 9 Nathan Bracken, 10 Glenn McGrath, 11 Shaun Tait.

Scotland (probable) 1 Fraser Watts, 2 Majid Haq, 3 Ryan Watson, 4 Gavin Hamilton, 5 Neil McCallum, 6 Dougie Brown, 7 Colin Smith (wk), 8 Craig Wright (capt), 9 John Blain, 10 Ross Lyons, 11 Paul Hoffmann.

Andrew Miller is UK editor of Cricinfo

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