On this day in 1993: Glenn McGrath makes his ODI debut

On this day in the year 1993, the cricket world witnessed the debut of one of the greatest names in the sport. Glenn Donald McGrath donned the Australia jersey for the very first time in ODI format and the rest is history. The fast-medium pacer is deemed as one of the most impactful international bowlers from the soil of Kangaroos.

His name remained significant in making Australia one of the most dominating sides in world cricket during the mid-1990s to late 2000s. It was his perfect line and length that defined him and pushed him to be one of the most economical bowlers of that era. While talking in terms of wickets scalped, McGrath is the second most successful name from his national side, just behind James Anderson.

While comparing it with the world records, he is on the fifth spot on the all-time list of highest wicket-takers where the top three names are legendary spinners. He also holds the record of being the seventh-highest wicket-taker in ODIs with 381 scalps under his belt. He also has another precious record in his bag of picking the most wickets in the World Cup – 71. After plying his trade in the 2007 Ashes series, McGrath bid adieu to the longest format of the game.

Man of the tournament in 2007 World Cup

The 2007 World Cup also saw the end of his journey in ODI formats where he was named as the man of the tournament for his outstanding bowling throughout the high-profile tournament. McGrath also came up to mark his presence in the Indian Premier League for Delhi Daredevils and remained one of the most economical pacers in the first season.

#OnThisDay in 1993, Glenn McGrath played his first ODI.

It ended with a loss for Australia against South Africa and the fast bowler did not take a wicket.

However, he ended with 381 wickets in the format, with an average of 22.02 alongside three @ICC Cricket World Cup wins ? pic.twitter.com/mz0qDkSUqM

— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) December 9, 2020

He was honoured on the occasion of the seventh annual Bradman Awards in Sydney in 2012. It was in 2013 when the world-class bowler got inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. Playing 123 Test matches, he has 563 wickets to his name. His best figures in the purest format of the game came in 2004 against Pakistan when he registered the figures of 8/24. He was also named in Australia’s greatest ODI team ever.