SYDNEY, (Reuters) – Australian cricket will emerge from the misery of failing to regain the Ashes and once more reign over world cricket, bowling great Glenn McGrath said today.
McGrath took 563 test wickets — the highest tally for any fast bowler — as Australia dominated world cricket for a decade and a half before retiring after the 2006-07 Ashes whitewash of England.
“It is disappointing, there’s no doubt about that,” the 40-year-old told reporters at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) today.
“Growing up as a kid in Australia, the Ashes is always the big one.
“But it amazes me how when Australia were dominant, everyone was saying how bad it was for world cricket. Now they’ve lost a few games everyone’s calling for their heads.
“It goes in cycles occasionally,” he added. “It wasn’t that long ago where the current Australian team won 13 in a row so I’ve got total faith the boys will bounce back and we’ll get back to the top of the tree.”
McGrath laughed when a comeback was suggested, saying he would last “three or four overs”, and said an official role coaching the Australian team, now ranked fourth in the world in test cricket, was unlikely.
“I’m always happy to give advice where I can,” McGrath said. “I guess I’ll chat to the boys a fair bit after this test match and see what I can do but as for an official role? We’ll see what the future holds. There’s plenty to keep me busy.”
The McGrath foundation is one thing that keeps him busy and the SCG will again be a sea of pink next Wednesday — the third day of the test — in honour of the charity, which raises money for breast cancer nurses and awareness in Australia.
Started by McGrath and his first wife Jane, who died of the disease in 2008, the foundation has raised millions of dollars in the last eight years.
