McGrath Advocates ODI Series Ahead of the Showpiece for Optimal Preparation
Legendary cricketer Glenn McGrath has placed his bets on India, Australia, England, and Pakistan as the semi-finalists in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023, scheduled to be held in India during October-November. McGrath emphasized the significance of playing in an ODI series before the prestigious tournament, particularly for Australia, to enhance their preparation and performance.
With Australia and England showcasing their dominance in ICC competitions, McGrath opined that these two sides have the best chance of reaching the last-four stage of the World Cup. During his visit to the MRF Pace Foundation academy, he expressed his views on the contenders, saying, "Australia is one of the top four teams to make it to the semis of the World Cup. They like competing in the big tournaments and big games. They perform well and have got enough experience, and also have some younger guys coming through. Also, they have enough matches in the sub-continent to prepare for the tournament."
McGrath's predictions also include India and England, with the latter displaying impressive performances in one-day cricket in recent times. The former cricket star also included Pakistan in the list of contenders for the semi-finals.
Considering England's adoption of the 'Bazball' approach during their tour of Pakistan, McGrath believes that they could replicate this aggressive style of play in the Indian conditions as well. He highlighted the need for bowlers to adapt and adjust to the fast-paced format, emphasizing the importance of evolving with the changing times.
As the director of the MRF Pace Foundation academy for over a decade, McGrath shed light on the focus of the bowlers' training. While they pay attention to white-ball bowling lately to prepare for the World Cup, the primary focus remains on nurturing all-round fast bowlers for the longer version of the game. McGrath stated, "It's about making them an all-round fast bowler who is physically fit, strong, and mentally tough, along with the skills and ability."