20 facts about Glenn McGrath: The Greatest Fast Bowler Ever

Glenn McGrath was a leading contributor to Australia’s domination of world cricket from the mid-1990s to the early 21st century. McGrath’s bowling was not of express pace. Rather, he relied on unerring accuracy and subtle seam movement. These qualities combined with wicket taking ability enabled him to be one of the most economical and dangerous fast bowlers of his time. He had a long career which fast bowlers are not usually blessed with.  His uncomplicated method and natural physical fitness were significant factors behind the longevity of McGrath’s career.

1.Born on:

Glenn Donald McGrath was born on February 9, 1970, Dubbo, New South Wales to Beverly and Kevin McGrath. He grew up in Narromine, New South Wales (NSW) where he first played cricket and his potential was spotted by Doug Walters.

2. A basketball player

The father of Australian sprinter Melinda Gainsford-Taylor persuaded McGrath to give up basketball for cricket.

3. Self-learner

McGrath taught himself to bowl behind sheds using a 44-gallon drum as a wicket.

4. The beginning

McGrath had to move to Sydney to play grade cricket. Lived in a beach caravan bought for him by his mum while he was trying to make the grade in Sydney state cricket.

5. I’m going to be famous one day:

McGrath worked in a bank during his young days while trailing for the Sydney Grade team. ‘He used to sign withdrawal slips and pass them to girls and say “keep this, because I’m going to be famous one day”,’ said a colleague.

6. His better-half

McGrath met his future wife Jane in Joe Bananas, a nightclub, in Hong Kong in the year 1995.When future wife Jane moved to Sydney from Hong Kong she had no idea he was famous. ‘People were shouting “Hey, Glenn” and “Ooh, ah”,’ she said. ‘I thought “he’s got lots of mates.”

7. Atherton his bunny:

Claimed Michael Atherton’s wicket 19 times in Test matches, the highest tally for any Test bowler against one batsman.

8. Nickname

He is nicknamed Pigeon. Brad McNamara gave him this nickname, when he said “You’ve stolen a pigeon’s legs McGrath.”

9. A title inspired by him:

Melbourne band TISM released a single called The Parable of Glenn McGrath’s Haircut.

10. Hobby

The legendary fast bowler hunts wild pigs as a hobby.

11. Beats Warne:

Shane Warne once bet a $1,000 he would make a first-class fifty. Eventually made 55 against Nottinghamshire.

12. Saves Steve Waugh

McGrath saved Steve Waugh’s house from a Sydney bushfire while the former skipper was away in Melbourne in 2002.

13. A special wicket for a special milestone

The Legend took Brian Lara’s wicket as his 300th in Tests, the middle wicket in a hat-trick.

14. Bloody intentions:

Viv Richards wrote in his autobiography: ‘I would trample all over him… If Glenn McGrath stepped in my way all I would have seen would have been a bag of bones.’

15. McGrath the ‘Chef’:

Wrote a book called “Barbecue with the Master.” Recipes included Moroccan lamb cutlets and smoky BBQ spare ribs.

16. The best in the history of the game:

McGrath is the most successful fast bowler in cricket history. In Test cricket, he has taken 563 wickets. He stands fourth in the all-time list of highest wicket-keeper. Became the first fast bowler to play 100 Tests for Australia in July 2004 against India at Nagpur.

17. Foot in the mouth moment:

McGrath had once said that if England won the 2005 Ashes he would return home by boat. England won 2-1. McGrath took the plane.

18. A mentor

McGrath is the director of MRF Pace Foundation, Chennai, replacing Dennis Lillee, who served for 25 years.

19. Philantrophy:

He currently serves as the Co-Founder and President of the McGrath Foundation, a breast cancer support and education charity he founded with his deceased first wife, Jane.

20. Honors:

Glenn McGrath was honoured during the seventh annual Bradman Awards function in Sydney on November 1, 2012. He was also inducted into ICC Hall of fame in January 2013.