Langer is the kind of coach Australia needs: McGrath

Who would have predicted then, including the man himself famed for his accurate prognosis, that on his next visit in less than three months time, the whole tenor of the cricketing discourse would change drastically with him being questioned about an indiscretion involving three of his compatriots that besmirched his nation’s reputation. 

The sordid happenings in Cape Town Test that provoked widespread outrage need no revisiting here, but the legendary fast bowler admitted that Australian cricket had hit rock bottom when the scandal first came to light. 

“To think they could get away with it, was very naive... getting caught and the way it was all handled and then the punishment, it is quite harsh. The fact that they have got Justin Langer as coach, is good news. I think he is the type of guy the team needs at the moment. Discipline and respect are two strong words for Justin,” said the 48-year-old. 

McGrath was guarded in his outlook on the bumpy road ahead for Australia under the leadership of the unfancied Tim Paine. 

“We will wait and see. I think it is probably not the best way to get the Australian captaincy. I am sure he would have preferred it differently. But he has got the job now. It will be tough but he will have to go out there and give his best... the final Test against South Africa didn’t go too well,” added McGrath. 

If there was one Australian who, through his noble and heroic deeds, brought McGrath back into an expansive mood following bouts of prolonged inquest, it was Shane Watson who rolled back the years in this edition’s IPL for Chennai Super Kings. 

“Shane Watson is a quality player, no doubt about that. In the first IPL, in 2008, Rajasthan Royals won because of Watson. He saved his best innings for the final this year. He showed that he is still good enough at this level. CSK has always had a strong unit and a good leader in MS Dhoni,” opined McGrath. 

The recent bombshell that South African batsman AB de Villiers dropped about his immediate retirement from international cricket caught McGrath unawares. Asked whether de Villiers got his timing right with the World Cup only a year away, McGrath felt the former South African captain must have weighed up his options before arriving at such a decision. 

“AB (de Villiers) is a phenomenal player. He has got more talent in his little finger than I have in my body. He will be missed. The game will be poorer in his absence. He is just such a natural athlete,” remarked McGrath about his former Delhi Daredevils team-mate.