Cricket World Cup 2023: Glenn McGrath picks Australia, England and These Two Teams As semi-finalist, Know Here
The ICC ODI World Cup 2023 is coming up in just two months and some days, and like every time before, cricket fans are very excited about it. On October 5, the first match of this tournament will be between the defending champions England and the runners-up from the last tournament, New Zealand.
Glenn McGrath is one of the few players to have won the biggest tournament of odi title three times, in 1999, 2003, and 2007. He has picked his favourite teams for the 2023 ODI World Cup.
The famous paceman chose India, Australia, England, and Pakistan as the semifinalists for the main tournament in India in 2023.
McGrath said that his home team, Australia, likes to play in big events and that having games in sub-continent before the WC will help them get used to the conditions.
"The (Australian) Test team is very different from the (Australian) One-Day team, but I think they will do well. "Australia is one of the top four teams to make it to the semis of the World Cup," he said here at the MRF Pace Foundation school.
"They like to take part in big games and events. They play well and have enough experience, and there are also some younger players who are getting better. Also, they have enough games in the subcontinent to prepare for the event."
He said that England has been playing good cricket lately and that India and Pakistan know how to do well in the event because they are used to the conditions.
"I also wrote India and England. England's one-day cricket has been good as of late. I will also add Pakistan to that list," he said.
McGrath also talked about England's "Bazball" style of play, which he thinks they can use on the India tour.
"They've shown that it can happen in both England and Pakistan. Bazball is a form of cricket that is very rough. It's all about being free to play.
"Even in the past, teams like the West Indies and Australia during the Don Bradman era played this kind of cricket. But we won't know how England plans to go in India until they tell us. "I like the idea, though," he said.
"There's no question that it's exciting if you score six or seven runs per over. So, I think the players should also change and adapt. It's the first time something like this has happened to that degree in Test cricket.
"We need to take care of Test cricket. This is a new time, and you have to act accordingly. So, let's see what the future holds for Test cricket and see if it can last," he said.
McGrath has worked with the MRF Pace Foundation for more than a decade. Since 2012, he has been in charge of the school.
When asked if spinners spend most of their time learning tricks for white-ball cricket or red-ball cricket, he said that the longer version has always been the main focus.
"I think they are more interested in learning for the longer version of the game. In India, there are still a lot of people who only play Test cricket and Ranji Trophy. If you do well and do well there, IPL will be there for you later.
"But here (at his school), it's all about making them all-around fast bowlers who are fit, strong, and mentally tough, as well as having the skills and talent.
"Recently, we've been focusing on white-ball bowling to help them get their thoughts straight before the World Cup. But in the end, the goal is to make them the best fast bowler," he said as he left.