Glenn McGrath is regarded as one of the greatest bowlers to ever play the sport and even after retirement, the former Australian pacemaker continues to impart knowledge to budding fast bowlers in India. McGrath is the director of MRF Pace Foundation and is currently in the country coaching its departments. In an informal chat with DailyExpertNews over the phone, McGrath spoke about the pace of Umran Malik, the form of Virat Kohli, and India’s upcoming tour of England, comprising a Test, three ODIs and three T20Is.
During IPL 2022, there were calls for Virat Kohli to take a break.
McGrath believes that now that he’s gotten that break, Kohli will do a world of good, as the batter knows his game inside out and knows what to do to get back into top form.
“Cricket is kind of a confident sport, Virat is pretty much a confident player too. When he’s singing he scores runs after runs and sometimes things don’t go well, it can be a tough place to be “He has enough experience, knows himself and knows his game. That break will do him a lot of good. I’m curious how he comes back, we have the World Cup right around the corner and I think India has the experienced players to keep the ship stable McGrath told DailyExpertNews.
Speaking of Umran Malik, McGrath said: “Yeah, bowling express pace is something that’s quite unique. And it’s very special. When you can combine that extreme pace with control and consistency, you become a very dangerous bowler. From that experience, once you’re at the top you have to work even harder. As long as his work ethic is good and he seems to be improving, who knows where he can go.”
“There is still time for him (Umran is playing Tests). You have to go out and do business in first-class cricket as well. If you bowl at a fast pace, everyone gets excited and fair enough, but yeah, getting around the team, is pretty special I didn’t spend time with him so I don’t know what he’s like as a character and how he handles things.
“I was lucky to only play 6 games for New South Wales before I had a chance in a test match. It comes down to attitude, when you bowl at that pace you have to take care of yourself and you have to be fit. You have to be strong his so that you can bowl day in and day out yes a lot will depend on him his work ethic and how he goes about things if he can adapt to playing at the senior level and enjoy it yes it looks like he can have a great career. But as long as they are managed well and not taken to the top, I am sure he will do well,” he added.
When asked if Hardik Pandya should have a say in how much he should be used as a bowler, the 52-year-old said: “I think it’s up to him. I think he’s had enough experience now, I think he should have a pretty good relationship with the captain and the coaches. He is experienced, he knows what to do. He is a quality all-rounder, no doubt about that. He is also a powerful hitter. He can throw the ball. he knows what to do at a pretty good pace. It’s about getting back out there, getting consistency and confidence in bowling and moving on from there. He’s going to have an honest voice in what he’s doing and how he’s doing it.”
McGrath, who has 563 wickets in Tests, also spoke about the brand of cricket England currently play in Tests and why India needs to be at the top to beat the UK’s ‘Three Lions’.
“It’s always difficult when you go to another country and you play that one exhibition game leading up to the test match. England have been playing good cricket lately, with Ben Stokes as captain, they’re playing a more aggressive form of the game paired with Brendon McCullum They’re going out, supporting themselves, they’re trying to play good, positive cricket. So yeah, if they play well, they’re going to be a hard team to beat, so I think India will really have to If they’re sharp, will they have to play well to compete with England in England,” said McGrath.
promoted
Finally, McGrath said of the new fast bowling culture in India: “Yes, I think every captain likes to have fast bowlers and express fast bowlers. So I think in the past Indians were known for turning wickets, the pitches themselves. were a bit slow I think it’s a combination of a few things yes the fields have gotten a bit faster If you want to be the number 1 team in the world you have to have a high quality fast bowling attack They have developed realized that and are developing that. The MRF pace foundation, the guys there realized a long time ago, they developed fast bowlers and spent them.”
“So to see the Indian bowling lineup right now, they’re consistent, there’s some good fast bowlers, some young bowlers coming through. It’s in very good shape at the moment with the quality of the quicks i think they have realized you need fast bowlers the pitches have improved for fast bowlers and i think a lot more people are targeting fast bowlers it used to be just spinners and batsmen its good to see that fast bowlers are now getting to work proud of them 19 of our guys (MRF Pace Foundation bowlers), past and present, involved in the IPL, most of them doing really well, that’s what it’s all about for me. We’re here to help the guys improve and know their game. To see them perform on the big stage of the IPL and to see them perform well is something we strive for. So yeah, really proud,” he said. he.
Topics mentioned in this article
