Was slightly harder to bowl to Lara than Sachin: McGrath
What's the story
Australia's veteran fast bowler Glenn McGrath heaped praise on Brian Lara for his ability to score daddy hundreds. McGrath believes Lara was harder to bowl as compared to his counterpart Sachin Tendulkar. He asserted that Lara's consistency made him stand apart, especially against the-then Australian bowling attack. Interestingly, the former Australian also backed Jasprit Bumrah ahead of India's second Test against New Zealand.
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Lara's consistency was terrific: McGrath
"Brian Lara never changed his game. I may have got him out 15 times, but he also scored big hundreds and double hundreds against us when both me and Warnie (Shane Warne) were playing together for Australia," McGrath was quoted as saying by TOI.
Comparison
Lara was more fearless than Sachin
During his playing days, McGrath was famous for outfoxing both Lara and Sachin in crunch moments. But he pointed out that Lara was more fearless in his approach. "When it was his day, he could do absolutely anything. Sachin was equally good, but there was something about Brian as he was slightly harder to bowl to than Sachin. He was more fearless," McGrath said.
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Lara was incredible against both Sachin and Lara
Interestingly, McGrath dismissed Sachin Tendulkar 13 times in 32 matches across formats, while Brain Lara was scalped 18 times by him in 53 internationals. McGrath is also one of the four bowlers who took a wicket off the final ball of international career.
Jasprit Bumrah
McGrath lauds Jasprit Bumrah for his quirky bowling
McGrath, who turned 50 in February this year, praised the Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. "India have got a quality bowling attack. I am a big fan of Bumrah at Test level. He has been amazing in limited overs too," McGrath said. "I was surprised to see him so far down the order in the rankings, he has been injured of late," he added.