McGrath to quit all forms of cricket?

[aussie1st]

Glenn McGrath will announce his retirement from all forms of cricket next week, according to his home-town newspaper the Sydney Morning Herald. The paper said it had confirmed that McGrath would not continue his one-day career so he could play at the World Cup and the Sydney Test against England would be his final match.

Full article here

This will put our WC defence in trouble, even though teams have been taking to McGrath he seems to have that calming effort on the team. Without him well I think these stats speak for themselves.
Highest 2nd inns total
438-9 (49.5 overs) South Africa v Australia Johannesburg 2005/06
332-8 (49 overs) New Zealand v Australia Christchurch 2005/06

 

[irottev]

I hope this isn't true. I can't believe he wouldn't go on for the World Cup myself. I really can't believe it. Why wouldn't you?

Maybe Dizzy has another chance. I doubt it

 

[BigCrickNan]

I think he has to retire from tests, he had a good start to this Ashes series and has fallen away, looking mediocre at times and has been hit off his length a lot by the likes of Pietersen. Would be better for Australia if he stays for the World Cup.

 

[Zaibatsu22]

i think you'll find it wont matter too much, he isnt as effective as he used to be, put faith in Bracken, Clark, Lee, Johnson, Tait etc - worst things have happened, the way the news & forums have been flooded with doomsday talk you'd think AUSTRALIA retired from test and ODI's for good, there were great Australian bowlers before Warne & McGrath and there will be after.

 

[aussie1st]

I knew he would retire from Tests but definitely thought he would go on to the WC.
He has lost that extra nip that we are use to but his presence usually lifts the other bowlers. How they will go we shall see.

 

[dtrain]

He will definately be missed, even though the batsman did go after him a bit at the Champions Trophy his economy rate wasn't terrible.

438-9 (49.5 overs) South Africa v Australia Johannesburg 2005/06
332-8 (49 overs) New Zealand v Australia Christchurch 2005/06

I think you'll find the common link between these matches isn't so much a lack of McGrath, but there was a player who had bowling figures of 1/77 off 9 overs against New Zealand, and 0/113 off 10 overs against South Africa.

 

[Deleted member 11215]

the press conference is at 1.30 am right?

 

[dtrain]

I don't know what time it is where you are, but it's on in about 10 minutes.

 

[aussie1st]

I think you'll find the common link between these matches isn't so much a lack of McGrath, but there was a player who had bowling figures of 1/77 off 9 overs against New Zealand, and 0/113 off 10 overs against South Africa.

All that after his 3/56 in the 2nd ODI and that amazing final over by him to win it for us. I was starting to change my tune on him as I never really rated him until then. And then the 3rd ODI and that dreadful one in SA confirmed what I thought earlier.

 

[kodos]

The SMH did speculate that McGrath will announce his retirement next week and McGrath's manager has indicated it also. There were also rumours that McGrath travelled down to Melbourne so he could announce a joint retirement with Warne but we all know it did not happen. The absense of McGrath will be a dent in the confidence of the Australian bowlers. The reason why they have been so successful in the ODI format is that McGrath usually keeps one end quiet and allow the other bowlers to attack. With McGrath gone who do they have to keep one end down?? Certainly not Lee, Clark I guess is the next likely option, Johnson to me is more of an attacking bowler and Bracken I guess is also the next liekly option.

There have also been speculation and rumours from The Australian that Langer is also calling it quits.

 

[puddleduck]

I think Langer has to go, even in the first test when he actually got some runs I didn't think he looked at all good. Had Freddie actually put some fielders in the gully region from ball one like I was screaming at the TV he would have been out at least 5 times in both innings. His first 20 runs were streaky as anything.

I am really surprised that McGrath isn't looking at the world cup as a finishing point, if he doesn't I guess it highlights how the Aussies and English view ODI cricket as a bit of a novelty and sideshow. Still Pollock has shown that lack of pace means nothing in the shorter format, and he still has the accuracy to cause problems with the new ball. I think Pidge probably can't stand the fact that someone like KP has walked down the pitch to him, possibly thinks that is the last straw!

 

[kodos]

Agreed, Langer retiring will be of no shock or surprise. I felt that perhaps he may have retired after receiving that blow by Ntini on the head. I'd say McGrath may retire from ODI's as well because he already has won the WC with Australia twice 99 and 03 and also so he can spend more time with the family.

 

[Dare]

its gona be interesting to see how Australia handle this, obviously their batting is strong but with McGrath and Warne leaving there gona have trouble geting quality batsman out, plus with some key batsman being a bit older and geting close to their retirement this is gona be a key time in Australian cricket.

 

[smssia0112]

I think he has to retire from tests, he had a good start to this Ashes series and has fallen away, looking mediocre at times and has been hit off his length a lot by the likes of Pietersen. Would be better for Australia if he stays for the World Cup.

I can't believe you Poms think that he 'had' to retire, just because your one good batsman charged him down the wicket, have you ever watched him bowl? I doubt he will anyway, I'm sure he will try the World Cup as a farewell, it would be the best way to say goodbye, he is still one of the best ODI bowlers in the world, and he killed you in the first test, you think he would retire because he bowled slightly worse for two tests? Incredibly short-sighted.

I think Langer has to go, even in the first test when he actually got some runs I didn't think he looked at all good. Had Freddie actually put some fielders in the gully region from ball one like I was screaming at the TV he would have been out at least 5 times in both innings. His first 20 runs were streaky as anything.

What? He was dominant in that test, did you watch it or imagine it? Anyway Lange rsaid before this series it was likely to be his last, but he hasn't been that bad anyway, t will be a fiitting farewell.

 

[aussie1st]

The SMH did speculate that McGrath will announce his retirement next week and McGrath's manager has indicated it also. There were also rumours that McGrath travelled down to Melbourne so he could announce a joint retirement with Warne but we all know it did not happen. The absense of McGrath will be a dent in the confidence of the Australian bowlers. The reason why they have been so successful in the ODI format is that McGrath usually keeps one end quiet and allow the other bowlers to attack. With McGrath gone who do they have to keep one end down?? Certainly not Lee, Clark I guess is the next likely option, Johnson to me is more of an attacking bowler and Bracken I guess is also the next liekly option.

There have also been speculation and rumours from The Australian that Langer is also calling it quits.

Can't really see Johnson being the one to keep it quiet. Bracken is the favourite as hes been on fire in the Ford Ranger cup at keeping the runs down. I'm still not convince Clark is an ODI bowler but now is his best time to cement an ODI spot because hes in the form of his life.

Langer I can definitely see retiring after the Sydney test.