Fast bowling great Glenn McGrath will be the latest Australian to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
The ICC announced on Monday the right-arm speedster, who claimed 563 Test wickets in 124 Tests from 1993-2007, will become the third inductee in 2012-13 after West Indian maestro Brian Lara and Englishwoman Enid Bakewell were honoured in September.
The ceremony for McGrath will take place on Friday during the lunch break of the second day of the third Test between Australia and Sri Lanka on his home ground of the SCG.
The 42-year-old will become the 68th male member of the Hall of Fame in recognition of a career that also included 250 one-day internationals and playing in three straight World Cup-winning sides in 1999, 2003 and 2007.
McGrath took more Test wickets than any other seam bowler – current or retired – while he sits second behind leg-spinning legend Shane Warne (708 wickets) as Australia’s leading wicket-taker.
“I am very much looking forward to celebrating the occasion with not only my friends and family, but all those at the SCG which is of course like a second home to me,” said McGrath in a statement.
Alan Davidson, Fred Spofforth and Belinda Clark were inducted into the Hall of Fame last year to join fellow Australians including Don Bradman, Richie Benaud, Allan Border and Dennis Lillee.
The SCG will be bathed in pink in support of cancer charity the McGrath Foundation on the third day of the Test.
A fourth and final Hall of Fame inductee for 2012-13 will be announced next summer.
Farmerj
Guest
No argument he was an oustanding cricketer but he was a lousy sportsman. Just a shame he didnt show the humility and grace he now exhibits when he was playing. One interesting question, did he get so many wickets because of the pressure applied at the other end by Warne or did Warne get so many wickets due to the pressure applied by McGrath?
Jason
Guest
Truly well deserved. One of the absolute greats. Also fitting that he and Lara are in the same intake. I wonder why Warne wasn't considered - is it because he is still playing domestic T20s?
V44
Roar Rookie
This is a due and fitting acknowledgement to an outstanding cricketer, sportsman and person.