Glenn McGrath impressed with Umran Malik's pace, advises youngster not to lose accuracy

Australian bowling legend and former cricketer Glenn McGrath, in his latest interview, has revealed that he doesn’t like witnessing fast bowlers surrender their pace for accuracy as the sheer pace is unique and cannot be taught to the bowlers. He also shared his views on India’s pace bowling sensation Umran Malik, who turned heads with his blistering pace in the IPL 2022.

Glenn McGrath, who registered a sensational 949 wickets in international cricket for the Aussies, is widely regarded as the greatest fast bowler of his generation and is the second leading wicket-taker in Tests among fast bowlers with 563 scalps. The legendary paceman stated that he thrives on watching fast bowlers working hard to attain accuracy rather than reducing their pace for accuracy.

McGrath also spoke about India’s young tearaway pacer Umran Malik, who has the ability to clock over the 150kph mark with relative ease. Although the pacer has struggled for accuracy, he is still in the nascent stages of his career and has got a lot of promise going forward. The Aussie revealed that he hasn’t watched much of the Indian quick but is impressed with his electrifying pace.

“I haven’t seen a huge amount of Umran Malik but the fact that he can bowl at a good pace is impressive. The sheer pace is unique. You can’t teach someone to bowl 150-plus, they’ve got to be able to naturally do that. I hate seeing bowlers slow down to get control. I like to see bowlers working harder on control, putting the time and effort in the nets to get to know their game while still bowling at the top pace. Because someone who bowls in excess of 150 kph is very rare,” McGrath said in an interview with Cricket.com.

You’ve got to be prepared to work hard and put your body through pain: Glenn McGrath

The Australian legend travels to India every year to groom young and upcoming fast bowlers as he oversees the proceeding at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai as a director. He shared the attributes the academy looks out for when scouting young talents.

“We are, first and foremost, looking for fast bowlers. You can get someone to bowl a yard or two quicker, but you can’t turn a 130-kph seamer into a 150-kph tearaway. Then secondly, we ask the question: are they prepared to work hard? You’ve got to have a really good work ethic to be a fast bowler. You’ve got to be prepared to work hard and put your body through pain. And then on top of everything, mental strength, and attitude,” he added.