The game of cricket has been predominantly dominated by batsmen, who get a lot more plaudits than the bowlers. However, the appreciation has increased a lot in recent times for fast bowlers. In the past, there were pacers like Glenn McGrath who sent shivers around the batting line ups of the world.
McGrath, in his prime, used to leave batsmen bewildered with his inch-perfect line and length. The discipline with which he bowled still inspires young pacers and will probably continue doing the same with the future generations.
In a video posted by ESPNCricinfo, McGrath picked three batsmen who he would want to dismiss in his dream hat-trick. The list constituted of two Indians in the form of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid while former West Indies captain Brian Lara was the third.
“The hat-trick wish-list would be Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid,” McGrath said.
McGrath answered several questions related to his playing days in the video. When the Aussie was asked to pick a specific trait that he did not possess in his bowling armoury, the Pigeon said ‘bowling at 100 mph’. The legendary seamer also went on to claim that pacers work a lot harder than the batsmen in the game of cricket. “Fast bowlers are better blokes, work harder, and batsmen expect everything,” he said.
Former Australian wrist-spinner Brad Hogg had earlier spoken about the difference between the battles between McGrath and Tendulkar and Shoaib Akhtar and Tendulkar.
Responding to a fan question on Twitter, Hogg said: “Sachin vs McGrath – a war of attrition, McGrath trying to win the patience game, you’re in for the long haul.
“Sachin v Akhtar – more erratic, with Akhtar trying to blast him out with sheer pace and it’s India v Pakistan, which adds a little more spice to the contest.”
