Sydney, Nov 7 (IANS) Former Australian fast bowler Glenn Mcgrath Sunday reacted strongly to critics who termed the recent baggy greens’ bowling attack as ‘hypocritical’ and said it is only a matter of time before the team would get back to winning ways.
McGrath, arguably the greatest fast bowler to have represented Australia, said he was bemused to hear some critics pointing lack of ‘swagger’ and ‘arrogance’ in the current Australian bowling line-up.
‘It (the criticism) just amazes me. When the Australian team was too strong, No.1 in the world, it was bad for world cricket, bad for this and bad for that but now because all of a sudden they have lost a few games, Australia is now accused of hurting cricket because the team is not strong enough,’ Mcgrath was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘I think it is ridiculous. Before Australia lost to Pakistan in England, they had won 13 (Tests) in a row. The players know they are good enough and with one or two wins under their belts, they will be okay,’ said the Australian.
In fact, McGrath gave Ricky Ponting’s pacemen a thumbs-up ahead of the Ashes series commencing Nov 25 at the Gabba.
‘I was away on holiday when Australia played over in India but I have total faith in our boys. The Test series will be played on our wickets and guys like Mitchell Johnson, Doug Bollinger, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus and Ryan Harris will do great. I know what they can do and I am confident they will do it.’
However, the Australian bowling legend did acknowledge that the team is having a rough season but he is confident the once known ‘invincibles’ will bounce back strongly.
‘Look, it has just been a flat time for the Australian team. To play in India is always tough and while the first two one-days against Sri Lanka would have knocked the wind out of them, they will bounce back,’ Mcgrath said.
McGrath believes Ponting is the right man to take the team to the levels where they belong.
‘I always thought Ricky would finish his career as leading Test run scorer of all time but I think [India’s] Sachin Tendulkar is trying to put that out of reach,’ he said.
‘I have total faith in Ricky as a person, a batsman and captain and would support him 100 per cent. To have his experience in a team is invaluable – he has to be there and he has to be leading the way.’
