New Delhi: Popular Twenty20 tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL) became a rage across the country as soon as they were introduced, but controversies soon followed. Legendary Australian pacer Glenn McGrath says the new format is not spoiling cricketers, but warns budding sportsmen against gloating over their success.
“I don’t feel it (IPL or BBL-Big Bash League) is spoiling budding cricketers. I think the important thing for budding cricketers is to always put in 100 per cent — to continue to be your best, work hard, don’t ever think you are at the top of your ability, you can always improve,” McGrath told IANS in an email interview.
McGrath, considered one of the greatest bowlers in cricketing history, had, in an earlier interview, blamed quick money for spoiling fast bowlers across the world. Now, he thinks differently.
Whether on or off the field, the McGarth saga is inspiring. A member of all three teams that enabled Australia complete a World Cup treble, he also holds the record for the highest number of Test wickets — 563 — by a quickie (average 21.64) in the 124 Tests he played between 1993 and 2007. He also turned out in 250 ODIs, scalping 381 victims.
Now, he says he does not “miss playing cricket at all”, since he has “a wonderful family which takes up most of my time, along with the McGrath Foundation in Australia”.
He is busy creating a place for himself outside the field of cricket — handling the MRF Pace Foundation, Chennai, or as the co-founder and president of the McGrath Foundation, a breast cancer support and education charity he founded with his first wife Jane, who died of the disease in 2008.
“Since retirement, I have been given me the opportunity to spend time with my family. I have three children, aged 16, 14 and one. That is what is really important to me. I have also done a little commentating in Australia and am part of the MRF academy in Chennai,” he said.
— IANS
