Australian fast bowler Glen McGrath was in the Capital recently as the brand ambassador of Hardys wine. He tells Deebashree Mohanty that earlier he was into beer but with age, his taste in liquor has become more refined
I don’t miss cricket at all. Not even for a single minute. I have more things to look forward to,” Australian pacer Glen McGrath said, talking instead about the addition to his new family. “Sara and I are expecting our first baby this October,” the 45-year-old veteran tells you proudly at a recent event. That is the reason why he is cutting down on a lot of things and doing everything to keep fit. Beer, being one of those cuts. “When we were young, I used to be a beer person but with age, my taste has become more refined. Red wine it is for me now,” he says.
The Aussie fast bowler’s mantra for keeping is to eat healthy and eat all kinds of food. “I don’t believe in dieting. You require a balanced diet to build a good stamina, spend a lot of time outdoors soaking in all the Vitamin D,” he adds. McGrath has been training budding cricketers at the MRF academy in Chennai and feels a good physique is must for fast bowling. “The taller you are, the more swing you are bound to generate off the pitch. It is not as if stout people are not good bowlers but tall people have a definite edge,” he says.
Retirement seems to be suiting him. “I have the entire day to myself and family. I love planning ahead. For the moment, we are busy decorating our nursery and baby proofing our home,” the thinking bowler tells you. McGrath feels the present day bowling attack has a lot of talent but needs to be more aggressive. “Being aggressive doesn't mean sledging and mouthing bad words on field. Aggression should reflect in your body language. When a batsman hits you out of the park, if your shoulders droop that is not good play. Retaliation is an art and an important one in cricket,” McGrath says. The Australian feels that wine is the best way of relaxing. “Sip some cool drink, put your feet up and listen to country music. Couldn’t ask for anything more,” he says.
In India, the only way McGrath says he can beat the heat is by scheduling his travel plans only in the mornings and drinking a lot of water. The chaat lover says he prefers to stick to tried and tested during summer months in India.