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- Oct 2, 2004
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Legendary fast-bowler Glenn McGrath has spoken about Australia's upcoming tour of India while also weighing in on England's 'Bazball' approach.
India are set to welcome Australia early next year for a four-match Test series under the ICC Men's World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle.
The Border-Gavaskar series between the two heavyweights has become one of the most fiercely contested rivalries in recent times and India have been dominant both at home and away lately, winning two series Down Under in 2017 and 2021.
Australia have struggled to beat India in their travels, last winning an away series way back in 2004. There are positive signs though for the current Australian team, who have done well lately in sub-continent conditions (against Pakistan and Sri Lanka).
In the context of the current World Test Championship period, the series will be of utmost importance for both sides as it could possibly decide which team will feature in the final next year.
'Australia's chances really hinge on the upcoming Indian tour' - Ricky Ponting | The ICC Review
McGrath, who was a member of the winning Test team some 18 years ago, termed India as the 'ultimate challenge' for Australia.
"Obviously, the single biggest challenge for Australia is coming to India, performing well and winning the series," McGrath said while speaking with Cricket.com.
"We were lucky enough to do it in 2004. You’ve got to come up with good plans, the batters have to learn to adapt on turning pitches and the bowlers have to learn to bowl in those conditions.
"I think with IPL, a lot of players have been over here (in India) regularly and have hence experienced the conditions. The current Australian team, evident from their showings in Sri Lanka and Pakistan, are starting to get a better understanding of how to play on sub-continent wickets. That being said, India is still the ultimate challenge. I think they’re up for it."
World Test Championship: Four key series in the lead-up to the final
McGrath also weighed on the recent rise of Australia's arch-rivals England in Test cricket under new coach Brendon McCullum.
The Kiwi's aggressive approach dubbed 'Bazball' has been the talk of the town ever since he took over and has seen England sweep aside New Zealand and India in imperious style.
An menace with the ball in hand, McGrath gave some insight on how to counter the aggressive and sometimes brash batting of the new-look England team.
"If the batters are looking to score and challenge the bowlers, obviously there are more chances of taking wickets," McGrath said.
"It’s about bowling good plans, being able to execute your plans and bowl to the field you have.
"England have started well, they showed great attitude in those four Test matches where they won chasing big totals in the fourth innings. While things are going well, it looks great. But it’s not always going to happen that way.
"A couple of times if the bowling side takes early wickets, puts pressure on them and bowls them out while they’re still attacking, it’s going to be interesting to see how it goes. I like teams to back themselves. With the bat, but also with the ball. Bowlers need to work out how to bowl to more aggressive batsmen."
England's new approach will be put to the test once again when they host World Test Championship pacesetters South Africa for three Tests, with the first match starting on Wednesday.
https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2744875
India are set to welcome Australia early next year for a four-match Test series under the ICC Men's World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle.
The Border-Gavaskar series between the two heavyweights has become one of the most fiercely contested rivalries in recent times and India have been dominant both at home and away lately, winning two series Down Under in 2017 and 2021.
Australia have struggled to beat India in their travels, last winning an away series way back in 2004. There are positive signs though for the current Australian team, who have done well lately in sub-continent conditions (against Pakistan and Sri Lanka).
In the context of the current World Test Championship period, the series will be of utmost importance for both sides as it could possibly decide which team will feature in the final next year.
'Australia's chances really hinge on the upcoming Indian tour' - Ricky Ponting | The ICC Review
McGrath, who was a member of the winning Test team some 18 years ago, termed India as the 'ultimate challenge' for Australia.
"Obviously, the single biggest challenge for Australia is coming to India, performing well and winning the series," McGrath said while speaking with Cricket.com.
"We were lucky enough to do it in 2004. You’ve got to come up with good plans, the batters have to learn to adapt on turning pitches and the bowlers have to learn to bowl in those conditions.
"I think with IPL, a lot of players have been over here (in India) regularly and have hence experienced the conditions. The current Australian team, evident from their showings in Sri Lanka and Pakistan, are starting to get a better understanding of how to play on sub-continent wickets. That being said, India is still the ultimate challenge. I think they’re up for it."
World Test Championship: Four key series in the lead-up to the final
McGrath also weighed on the recent rise of Australia's arch-rivals England in Test cricket under new coach Brendon McCullum.
The Kiwi's aggressive approach dubbed 'Bazball' has been the talk of the town ever since he took over and has seen England sweep aside New Zealand and India in imperious style.
An menace with the ball in hand, McGrath gave some insight on how to counter the aggressive and sometimes brash batting of the new-look England team.
"If the batters are looking to score and challenge the bowlers, obviously there are more chances of taking wickets," McGrath said.
"It’s about bowling good plans, being able to execute your plans and bowl to the field you have.
"England have started well, they showed great attitude in those four Test matches where they won chasing big totals in the fourth innings. While things are going well, it looks great. But it’s not always going to happen that way.
"A couple of times if the bowling side takes early wickets, puts pressure on them and bowls them out while they’re still attacking, it’s going to be interesting to see how it goes. I like teams to back themselves. With the bat, but also with the ball. Bowlers need to work out how to bowl to more aggressive batsmen."
England's new approach will be put to the test once again when they host World Test Championship pacesetters South Africa for three Tests, with the first match starting on Wednesday.
https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2744875
