McGrath rates Lara slightly ahead of Tendulkar

Australian bowling great Glenn McGrath rated Brian Lara just ahead of Sachin Tendulkar among the batsmen he has bowled to in his 14-year international career.

McGrath, who will retire from international cricket after the World Cup final, was asked to name the best batsman he has bowled to so far and he replied ''Brian Lara of West Indies and India's Sachin Tendulkar.'' He, however, gave a slight edge to Lara over Sachin, saying ''Obviously the two stand-outs are Brian and Sachin and I feel from bowling to those two guys that probably Brian was slightly in front of Sachin when they were at their peaks,'' he said.

He also described West Indies' Curtly Ambrose and former Pakistan left-armer Wasim Akram as the bowlers he most admired.

Asked what his last wish was before retiring from International cricket, the 'Pigeon' said, ''A five-wicket haul to set up victory in the World Cup final would be the perfect way to hang up my boots.'' Talking to newspersons here, the Australian went down memory lane, saying ''I have special liking for Kensington Oval, venue of the World cup final because here way back in 1994 I took five wickets (for 68 runs) in a Test against West Indies.

''I've got a lot of memories here in Barbados. This is where I took my first five-for haul in international cricket,'' he said adding ''To me a perfect way to finish would be another five-for, a win, walk off.....and happy days.'' Asked how he was feeling before playing his last match (250 ODI), and that to a World Cup final, McGrath said he did not feel any different but admitted he was ready to retire and would have done so earlier had it not been for the World Cup.

''To me it just feels like business as usual. I'm not sure when or if that will hit me, maybe when Australia plays again or after the game,'' he remarked, adding ''But at the moment I feel the same as for every game I've played.'' The World Cup's highest-taker till now maintained that he was looking forward to retirement. ''There's no doubt about that - but I still love playing.'' He continued ''On this tour I've probably felt more relaxed than I ever have. I've enjoyed it and maybe that's the reason I've played well.'' And what are the secrets of the technique which brought him 563 Test wickets, the most by any pace bowler, McGrath preached the virtues of simplicity.

''I have always said that my approach has been quite simple. The less complicated you make things the less things can go wrong,'' he said.

McGrath was happy over the quality of the bowlers who will take his place. ''I feel pretty good walking away because there are so many fast bowlers coming through.

''Stuart Clark has come onto the international scene, especially in Test matches. We've got Mitchell Johnston, Shaun Tait's coming through and we've got Brett Lee coming back hopefully from his ankle injury and Nathan Bracken too,'' McGrath said.

''To me the fast-bowling cupboard is full and they've got plenty of options,'' he concluded.

UNI HSB SAM RAI1036

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