On This Day: Glenn McGrath Dismantled England with a Magical Spell

21 years ago on this particular day, Glenn McGrath produced one of the most magical bowling spells against England of all time which was the best figures by an Australian bowler in more than 75 years.

It was a sensational piece of swing bowling by McGrath. It was overcast conditions at the Mecca of Cricket which helped McGrath demolish the English batting line-up back in 1997. Captain Mark Taylor won the toss and put the hosts in.

The opening day of the match was lost due to rain. However, Taylor’s decision of bowling first paid rich dividends.

It was only the start of the love affair which McGrath had with Lord’s for the whole length of his career. He was at his lethal best and destroyed the English attack with his sensational bowling. It was rain which got into his way after the pacer had bagged the wicket of English top three Mark Butcher, Mike Atherton and Alec Stewart for a total of combined seven runs.

McGrath was equally devastating in the morning session of the next day and bagged five more. He eventually finished with dream figures of 8/38, the best bowling figures in an Ashes match at Lord’s. England was a shout for a meagre 77, their lowest Test total since the 20^th century. Meanwhile, McGrath following his dream spell revealed the reason behind his success.

He recalled having a conversation with the former Aussie legend, Dennis Lillee.

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“Dennis thought in the first Test I was trying too hard for pace and advised that I relaxed, stopped striving so hard and took my foot off the accelerator,” McGrath said.

“I chose to play both matches between the two Tests and found the tips worked. I was always confident I would take wickets in this series.”

In the end, it was rain which prevented Australia from the winning the Test. However, Australi went on to retain the Ashes for the 5^th time on a trot. Meanwhile, it was just the beginning of McGrath’s love affair with Lord’s.

He bagged eight wickets in the victory for Australia in the 2011 series. McGrath was yet again at his brilliant best during the 2005 Ashes. He bagged five wickets for just 11 runs which reduced England to 21/5 replying to Australia’s 180. Australia lost the series, thus surrendering the urn after a long time. He was not part of the two Tests which Australia lost to surrender the series.

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