'Batsmen-nightmare' McGrath enters history of cricket

Bridgetown, Barbados, Apr 29 (UNI) The nightmare eventually ended for all the international batsmen of the world as Glenn McGrath finally walked into the cricketing history last night after being an integral part of Australia's record making three successive World Cup wins.

Amidst a series of controversies, McGrath remained the only shining path in the Caribbean World Cup as he marked his entry into the record books for becoming the only bowler in the game's history to scalp 26 wickets in the mega event.

If it was not enough for him, he was also adjudged the best bowler of the tournament surpassing spin wizard Muttiah Mularitharan of Sri Lanka by two wickets.

Commenting on his career achievement, a down to earth McGrath said, ''My consistency over the years is the result of hard work.

I've worked hard off the field so that when I play ... I feel like I'm actually having a break.'' ''I know myself and my game very well. I don't try to do anything that I can't really do. I'm not a big swinger of the ball. I don't bowl express pace but what I do is hit good areas and get good bounce and that has really served me well over the years.'' Nicknamed 'Pigeon', McGrath who got his big break in the Aussie squad way back in 1993 after the retirement of Merv Hughes, is regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of the game for his immaculate line and length.

He was every Australian skippers' first choice bowler when it came to providing break-throughs at crucial times and the 37-year-old lanky paceman most of the time obliged his captain's expectations.

Inspite of the fact that his wife is battling with breast cancer, the 37-year-old Aussie never compromised with his game. But now after giving 14 years to the game, McGrath has had enough as he enters into the cricketing history yesterday after playing his last international match.

''With everything that has happened at home with Jane and having two kids, it does put a different perspective on things and you have to work out what's important in life,'' he said.

UNI