The Pigeon's last flight

Some may argue that Glenn McGrath has seen too much of World Cup success! But the fact is that he has played such a large role in Australia's World Cup campaigns since 1996 that all his success is well earned.

Along with Captain Ricky Ponting, McGrath is the last remaining Australian to have played in all World Cup finals since 1996. An enviable record indeed, but he hasn't just played, he has won most of these matches for Australia.

McGrath's trademark in ODIs is his line-and-length and the fact that he gives away negligible amounts of runs in return for bagfuls of wickets! And he has maintained the same record in World Cups too. In 28 World Cup appearances, he has picked up 45 wickets at a measly 20.77 per wicket. His best bowling figures are an astonishing 7/15 against Namibia in 2003. But it's not only the stats that prove he is the best around.

McGrath has seen many opening partners in his 14-year career. Among his most successful partners have been Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie. But neither is around this time and McGrath will be looked upon as the seniormost bowler to lead the attack. Another challenge for him in defence of Australia's double crown.

Over the last year or so, McGrath has lost pace but none of his accuracy. With age, he has also given up the new ball to some of the younger, faster bowlers in the Australian line-up, but Ricky Ponting has recently hinted that McGrath could well be the man Australia turns to for using the new ball in the World Cup.

With a spate of retirements in Australian cricket over the last three months, McGrath is one of the last-standing of the old-timers. But this will be his final appearance on the World stage. Having already announced retirement from Test cricket, the World Cup is his swansong.

Can he win an unprecedented third successive title? Does the old engine have enough to run this last race? Recent form suggests it doesn't. But he didn't get where he is depending on past achievements, did he?

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