Glenn McGrath

[JF.]

Been having debates with someone in another forum over Pigeon's spot in the team. This person thinks McGrath is finished and won't last the summer. I don't agree.

Thoughts?

 

[andyc]

He'll go out on his own terms, I reckon. This'll be his last Ashes though.

 

[JF.]

Oh yeah, this will be his last Ashes. But this guy thinks he's no good anymore. And he used the DLF cup to back up his claims

 

[Goughy]

McGrath is still Aus best seamer and he also has a mental edge over the England batsmen.

Will he last the entire series, I hope not. And that is praise enough.

Given the choice of taking McGrath or Ponting out for the series I would pick McGrath. He is that important.

 

[Pedro Delgado]

He has a mental edge of most countries batsmen to be fair.

The way he was rushed back (or was allowed to be rushed back by himself) last year speaks volumes about how important he was to the team, if Jason had been firing I doubt he'd have played at OT, consequently he would have played at Trent Bridge.

Anyway.

Fwiw I think he'll play in four of them.

 

[shortpitched713]

And he used the DLF cup to back up his claims

I thought he was quite effective in the DLF Cup. Probably the most economical bowler in the series, though I don't have the stats. He was really unlucky to not pick up more wickets, but I think he really showed his class in this series, especially coming back from such a long break from bowling.

 

[Burgey]

Barring further injury, anyone who thinks McGrath is done for is kidding themselves (and this from someone who predicted 2 years ago that he wouldn't play another test owing to injury).

Even if his performances in the DLF Cup were ordinary (and I don't believe they were at all), he is a player who knows his own game and body so well that it's obvious he is building up to the test matches later in the year.

Were he to miss the Ashes, I believe England would be favourites. It's that simple. Everyone who says he isn't quick enough anymore and is just a medium pacer hasn't seen how he still consistently hurries batsmen at the top level and bothers them with movement off the deck. And if he's slowed down so much and is no longer a threat, why hasn't anyone taken to him?

He's an out-and-out champion. One of the best bowlers Australia has ever produced.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Oh yeah, this will be his last Ashes. But this guy thinks he's no good anymore. And he used the DLF cup to back up his claims

I wish your mate was Chairman of Selectors. The fact is that, unfortunately, a significant percentage of the world's population are idiots. They're best ignored and left to drive off bridges and electrocute themselves.

 

[Kweek]

what do you reckon is less painless Neil ?

McGrath is the reason England won the ashes...his absence that is.

 

[adharcric]

McGrath is still a champion bowler. Definitely Australia's best seamer in tests, but I think Lee has become the strike bowler in ODIs. McGrath's still economical and pretty damn good, but he isn't ripping through sides in the shorter format like Lee is.

 

[JF.]

I wish your mate was Chairman of Selectors. The fact is that, unfortunately, a significant percentage of the world's population are idiots. They're best ignored and left to drive off bridges and electrocute themselves.

yes well this guy thinks cricket is still a gentleman's game, thinks bowling bouncers is unethical , and thinks batting is just 11 scores added together.

 

[Nate]

McGrath is definately not finished with. Very foolish thing to say, with no evidence to back it up.

 

[howardj]

Definitely worth his place in the team.

Very economical.

I think his strike rate could balloon out though.

I also think he'll play in only 3 out of the 5 Ashes Tests.

 

[R_D]

McGrath is still a champion bowler. Definitely Australia's best seamer in tests, but I think Lee has become the strike bowler in ODIs. McGrath's still economical and pretty damn good, but he isn't ripping through sides in the shorter format like Lee is.

Stats will probaly prove me wrong But I don't think Mcgrath has ever been that devastating in ODI format anyway, He's very economical but he didn't tear through sides that often like Akram or Lee nowdays. Mcgrath bowl quite well DLF cup probaly didn't take that many wickets but his usual miserly self. The Ashes will be decided by how Mcgrath bowls.

 

[crickhowell]

I wouldn't be surprised if he plays every ashes test but decides to retire after them, the selectors will probably let him go out on his terms, it's Pigeon after all.

 

[silentstriker]

Yea, McGrath will likely retire after the Ashes, and if not, then probably within a year. I don't think the selectors will drop him though, they'll let him go out on his own terms.

 

[Jono]

You guys don't reckon McGrath will go to the World Cup?

I reckon he will.

 

[Fratboy]

You guys don't reckon McGrath will go to the World Cup?

I reckon he will.

Yeah, he will. He wouldn't be participating in any ODIs if he were planning on retiring immediately post-Ashes. Ashes hype clouding the judgement of a lot of people here.

 

[crickhowell]

Yeah, I think the WC will be his swansong, his last major series or tournament anyway, If he's still playing after next summer it will only be for NSW.

 

[howardj]

You guys don't reckon McGrath will go to the World Cup?

I reckon he will.

2011 World Cup.

Then he'll return home and say 'bowling better than ever - my best years are ahead of me'.