He turns 40 in February and played his last Test almost three years ago, but Glenn McGrath on Sunday night showed he still has it.
McGrath may have lost some pace but none of his nous and bounce, shining like a beacon with 3-18 from four overs to light up the Twenty20 cricket exhibition match at the Gabba.
The pace great’s effort was the highlight but he still couldn’t prevent Michael Clarke’s Australian XI scoring a 17-run victory over the ACA All Stars in the international season-opener.
Other Old Firm legends didn’t let the All Stars down either; captain Shane Warne leading cannily from the front and Adam Gilchrist (21) and Matthew Hayden (25) both exciting the 16,479-strong crowd.
But Cameron White (44no) and George Bailey (30no) produced the best with the bat to lifted Australia to 5-173 with a late, unbeaten 68-run stand.
The target was beyond the All Stars (9-156) once Lee Carseldine fell for 41 in the 17th over, giving Clarke a win over his great mate Warne.
While All Stars youngsters Jason Krejza (0-43) and Nathan Rimmington (1-48) were belted, McGrath was frugal and even on a hat-trick after firing out David Hussey and Adam Voges.
Looking good for 40, Warne won the toss and bowled and, true to his attacking nature, threw the new ball to off-spinner Krejza.
McGrath had to wait until the second over and almost had a wicket first ball when Carseldine dropped a low, diving chance at cover off Brad Haddin.
To show he’s lost little in semi-retirement, he then dismissed IPL teammate David Warner in his second over – a wicket maiden – as he conceded just one scoring shot in his first spell.
When McGrath had Hussey caught on the boundary and then Voges edging behind in his third over, he’d taken 3-6 from eight balls – belying his lack of action for IPL outfit Delhi Daredevils.
“The last six months I’ve had two games in India, that’s it. So I’ve probably bowled just 70-80 deliveries,” he told Channel Nine. “To have a pitch that bounces and where the ball carries through is nice.”
Warne didn’t start so smoothly, a half-track loosener was punished by Haddin.
In his second over, the leg-spinner gave a ball-by-ball commentary on his tactics, with Gilchrist chiming in, and almost had an edging Clarke out as planned.
He finished wicketless but did belt 12 runs off three balls with the bat in the final over.
McGrath, named man of the match, said 20-20 cricket was perfect for him these days.
“I don’t think I could have bowled more than four overs, so to play in a game like this was perfect,” he said.
Clarke was rapt with the victory and paid credit to his young team.
“It’s always good to beat the legends,” he said.
The Test vice-captain said he was determined not to be dismissed by Warne who baited him before the match as the new Daryl Cullinan — the South African batsman who was always an easy victim for the spinner.
“It was a bit harsh (the Cullinan reference), I made sure he didn’t get me out but I was a tad nervous.”
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