Glenn McGrath

From Cricipedia - The Cricket Encyclopedia!

Glenn Donald McGrath (born 9 February 1970 in Dubbo, New South Wales) is a former Australian cricketer. He is one of the most highly regarded fast-medium pace bowlers in cricketing history, and a leading contributor to Australia's domination of world cricket since the mid-1990s. He holds the world record for the highest number of Test wickets by a fast bowler and is fourth on the all time list (with the top three wicket takers Anil Kumble, Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan all being spin bowlers). McGrath announced his retirement from Test cricket on 23 December 2006, his Test career coming to an end after the 5th Ashes test in Sydney, whilst the 2007 World Cup marked the end of his one-day career.

McGrath's bowling was not of express pace. Rather, he relied on unerring accuracy and subtle seam movement. His height (6ft 6in), combined with a high arm action, allowed him to extract extra bounce from most pitches that often surprised batsmen. In the later years of his career, he developed as a swing bowler.

His uncomplicated method and natural physical fitness were significant factors in the longevity of McGrath's career. In 2004, he became the first Australian fast bowler to play 100 Tests. In the first innings of the ICC Super Series Test match in 2005, McGrath passed Courtney Walsh to become the greatest wicket-taker among fast bowlers in Test history.