Glenn McGrath has urged Australia to follow England’s lead and take a more fearless approach to white-ball cricket.
Australia’s road to next year’s ODI World Cup in India under Pat Cummins begins on Thursday, with a three-match series against world champions England in Adelaide.
England have led the way in white-ball cricket for the past seven years, this week becoming the first men’s team to hold the T20 and one-day World Cup trophies at the same time.
They have done so with an all-out attacking approach – encouraging batsmen not to fear failure and to go after the game whenever possible.
It is a mindset McGrath would like to see seep into Australia’s cricket.
“The Australian team always played fearless cricket,” McGrath told AAP.
“I wonder now if they are playing with more fear of losing.
“You just have to go out and back yourselves. That is the brand of cricket England are playing at the moment.
“When you play that brand of cricket things tend to go your way more.”
England’s cross-format success has prompted suggestions the current team is the best white-ball side in history.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
It is a claim McGrath would contest, after being part of an Australian team that won three straight ODI World Cups.
“I would have to disagree with (England being the best),” McGrath said.
“There have been some quality and amazing teams over the years.
“I would like to say we could give them a decent run for their money, if not better than that.
“But they’re pretty handy this English unit, as much as it pains to me to say.”
McGrath comments came as he was in Sydney playing in The Unfairest Cricket Match, calling for government action over “the disadvantages Australian-owned brands face in supermarkets”.
On the field, he sees disadvantages in Australia’s game compared to the English approach.
In ODIs, England’s opening partnerships have gone at a run-rate of 6.57 since their disappointing 2015 World Cup, with New Zealand the next best at 5.89.
In contrast, Australia have long taken the approach of building a foundation before exploding late.
Australia’s opening combination will change ahead of next year’s tournament, with Travis Head getting first crack at partnering David Warner following the retirement of Aaron Finch.
“I always say, if you can get players to go out there and play without fear, it’s amazing what you can achieve,” McGrath said.
“You still have to play intelligent cricket … Don’t go out and throw caution to the wind with shots that aren’t there.
“It’s about getting that balance right, and that is where the Aussies need to get back to.
“England are chancing their arm and riding their luck, it can get a bit ugly at times if things don’t work out for you.
“But I’d much rather teams just back themselves.”
© AAP
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