[1]Glenn McGrath has picked India to lift the Champions Trophy, which is under way in England. According to the Australian pace legend, the men in blue have a balanced team and they would come out trumps at the eight-nation tournament thanks to their potent bowling attack.
McGrath is here to oversee a camp at MRF Pace Foundation. The Australian expected India’s youthful pace battery to rise to the occasion in the absence of the seasoned Zaheer Khan. “Ishant seemed to have lost the way after starting well, but he has been bowling well of late. India have got a quality attack for the conditions. Though they don’t have much assistance in India, I can see them putting in the effort and that’s important,” he said.
Never a one to shy away from challenges in his playing years, the 43-year-old said bowlers can still come out on top in a game that is heavily loaded in favour of batsmen especially with the field restrictions. “When I played I kept it under four runs an over. Now you have to adjust to the current rules and if you plan well and execute those plans on the field, then you can still beat batsmen. But when you don’t do the basics right, no matter how good the conditions are, you will be at the receiving end,” McGrath, a triple World Cup winner and an owner of 563 Test wickets, said.
With many pacers breaking down due to injuries, McGrath said it has become a challenge to become a fast bowler. “Fast bowling is tough. With an unnatural action, one needs to be strong to run in day in and day out and bowl in unfavourable conditions. With the amount of cricket being played especially in limited overs, it’s even more intense and a lot more trouble. Recovery period and preparations are crucial. To play Tests, one needs more discipline and preparation or else it’s difficult to succeed,” he added.
McGrath, who replaced Dennis Lillee at MRF, said he is happy with the youngsters in the camp. “When I came in January, I saw these bowlers with plenty of muscles and power. In unresponsive wickets, you can’t expect these young pacers to bowl at 150 without any assistance for them. Ishwar Pandey has been impressive in the camp. He is hitting the right areas. The boys have improved a lot from the time I saw them,” he added.
A meeting with an Aussie great without a question about the Ashes when the famous contest is just around the corner? Not possible.
“The hosts have a quality team. But Australia have the bowlers to trouble the English, so it’s going to be a good contest.”
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