Jayasuriya and McGrath in battle of golden oldies
CRICKET: Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya and Australian paceman Glenn
McGrath will be playing their last World Cup match here on Saturday.
But only one of them will be celebrating at the end of the 2007
final..
The pair have been looking at their best with left-handed opener
Jayasuriya, a survivor of the 1996 World Cup winning team, showing off
his big-hitting in early overs and McGrath with his disciplined pace and
subtle variations.
Discipline is McGrath’s virtue.
He is the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing tournament, with 25
victims in 10 matches to underline yet again
Glenn McGrath
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that age is no bar to success. He may be 37-years-old but he is
performing with the enthusiasm of a youngster.
“The fact that I’m going to retire is probably one of the reasons I’m
bowling so well because I’m just going out there, try and enjoy it, make
the most of it. Make the most of every game I play,” said McGrath.
“There’s no pressure, no fear and it’s coming out well. I guess when
you’re playing in a successful team, it does make it a lot easier.”
McGrath has a knack of getting big wickets in important matches which
has stood his team in good stead. He has always been instrumental in his
side gaining the early initiative with his probing line and length.
He was named man of the match after finishing with 3-18 off eight
tight overs in the semi-final win over South Africa in St Lucia.
“He (McGrath) keeps is pretty simple whether it’s action or approach.
He keeps delivering and it’s unbelievebale,” said John Buchanan, who is
stepping down as Australia coach after this tournament.
Like McGrath, Jayasuriya has also proved that he is getting better
and better with each year.
The Sri Lankan was the revelation of the 1996 World Cup in the
sub-continent when he redefined batting in early overs with his
over-the-top hitting.
Jayasuriya owed his success to skipper Arjuna Ranatunga.
He had been batting in the middle order before being asked to open
the innings and it was a tribute to his skill that he did not let his
captain down.
He was named Player of the World Cup in 1996.
Jayasuriya was the skipper of the Sri Lankan side that lost to
Australia by 48 runs in the semi-final of the 2003 edition in South
Africa, but was willing to continue as player when stripped of the
captaincy.
He has already hammered centuries against Bangladesh and the West
Indies in the ongoing tournament, proving he is keen to cap his
international career with a title under his belt.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Friday, AFP
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