Australian · Dubbo, New South Wales · Born 9 February 1970Australian fast bowler famed for his relentless accuracy and consistency, one of the greatest pace bowlers ever.
Born in Dubbo, New South Wales, in 1970, Glenn Donald McGrath emerged from rural Australia to become cricket's most precise fast bowler. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall, he developed his craft playing for local teams before making his first-class debut for New South Wales in 1992. His unconventional action and relentless accuracy quickly caught selectors' attention, earning him Test selection against New Zealand in 1993 at age 23. McGrath's career reached its zenith during Australia's dominant period from the late 1990s through the mid-2000s. His metronomic line and length, consistently targeting the corridor of uncertainty just outside off stump, made him virtually unplayable on responsive pitches. He formed a legendary partnership with Shane Warne that terrorized batting lineups worldwide, combining McGrath's discipline with Warne's artistry to create cricket's most formidable bowling duo since Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson. His statistical achievements remain unmatched among fast bowlers. McGrath claimed 563 Test wickets at an average of 21.64 across 124 matches, making him Australia's leading wicket-taker and the fourth-highest among pace bowlers in Test history. His 381 ODI wickets in 250 matches established another fast-bowling record. Notable performances include devastating figures of 8 for 24 against Pakistan in 2004—the best by any Australian in Test cricket—and claiming 36 wickets during the 2001 Ashes series, a record for a fast bowler in a single Ashes campaign. McGrath's legacy extends beyond individual records. He was instrumental in Australia's unprecedented success, winning five Ashes series and two Cricket World Cups in 1999 and 2003. Following his wife Jane's death from breast cancer in 2008, he established the McGrath Foundation to support breast care nursing. His technical mastery and unwavering commitment to accuracy redefined fast bowling, proving that precision could be as devastating as raw pace.
Third-highest Test wicket-taker of all time and leading fast-bowling wicket-taker in Tests
His pre-match predictions of how he would dismiss specific batsmen — which came true with alarming regularity — were one of cricket's most entertaining traditions.
Did You Know?How They Played
Right-arm fast-medium bowler known for exceptional accuracy, consistent line and length, and ability to move the ball off the seam
Lasting Impact
Considered one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, known for his metronomic accuracy and ability to take wickets on any surface
Career Honours
- ICC Cricket World Cup winner 1999, 2003, 2007
- ICC Cricket Hall of Fame 2013
- Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1998
| Club | Period | Matches | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 1993–2007 | 124 | 563 |
| Hampshire | 2004–2006 | 19 | 66 |
| Worcestershire | 2008–2008 | — | — |
Australian Athletes