Glenn McGrath’s top 3 bowling figures in ODI Cricket

Glenn McGrath’s exploits in ODI cricket defined his greatness with a white ball in his hand. He played in 250 One-Day Internationals for Australia where he picked up 381 wickets with an outstanding average of 22.02. Throughout his career, he remained a focal point of the Australian bowling attack performing on big occasions. Let’s take a look at his top 3 performances in the One-Day cricket.

#1. 7/15 vs Namibia, 2003

Glenn McGrath delivered his best performance on the biggest stage, the ODI World Cup. In the 2003 ODI World Cup, the Australian team looked unassailable and a major reason behind that was Glenn McGrath. Against Namibia in the group stage clash he proved his worth with a lethal spell. Batting First, Australia scored 301 runs putting Namibia in the pressure straightaway. The run chase appeared to be very difficult for Namibia and McGrath made it even tougher. He picked up 7 wickets to wrap up Namibian batting for just 45 runs. Australia defeated Namibia by 256 runs registering a big victory in the group stage.

#2. 5/14 vs West Indies, 1999

Another World Cup performance from Glenn McGrath this time in the 1999 ODI World Cup. In the group stage clash Australia faced off with West Indies. Australia used the bowling-friendly conditions to put West Indies in trouble. McGrath wreaked havoc on the West Indian batting order with the new ball. West Indies was restricted to 110 runs in the first innings which made it very easy for Australia to cruise in the run chase. McGrath ended up with a 5-wicket haul. 

#3. 5/27 VS Pakistan, 2005

At the famous Sydney Cricket Ground, he achieved another 5-wicket haul in his career. In the second match of the One-Day series against Pakistan, he prevented the opposition from chasing down the target. After winning the toss Ricky Ponting elected to bat first. Australia could not cross the 250-run mark but they had enough bowling prowess to defend this tricky total. Once again Glenn McGrath stood up for his team picking up 5 wickets on the right occasion.

McGrath dismissed two of the three top-order batsmen to put Pakistan in the back seat. Moving ahead he also got the better of Pakistan captain Inzamam Ul Haq to send him back without allowing him to open his account. His other two dismissals were Abdul Razzaq and Naved-ul-Hasan. Australia clinched this tight affair by 31 runs. McGrath was adjudged the player of the match for his brilliant 5-wicket haul.