Hadlee, Donald urge Cricket Australia to back McGrath

Sydney, July 11 (UNI) Urging Cricket Australia (CA) to back Glenn McGrath as he prepares for an international return, former fast bowling greats Richard Hadlee and Alan Donald said the Aussie would once again be a force to reckon with when he takes to field in the Ashes series against England later this year.

''I felt I peaked at 35 when I had a very good series (33 wickets at 12.15 in three Tests) against Australia in Australia in 1985-86,'' Hadlee told 'The Courier mail'.

''You know your body. You know what you had to do. I felt strong.

I knew I'd bowled the overs and was in good shape. So there's no reason why Glenn cannot come back as strong as ever,'' he added, recalling his comeback after a 10-month layoff at the age of 36.

McGrath has been out of action since January after his wife Jane was diagnosed with cancer. The veteran pacer opted out of the team to be with his wife.

But hadlee said the sabbatical will not have a bearing on his form when he decides to return to the team.

''What you lose in pace you make up for in experience, skill and variation,'' Hadlee said.

Hadlee's views were echoed by former South African paceman Alan Donald, who also felt that the veteran be allowed to decide on his retirement. He felt McGrath would be in better shape when he comes out to bowl at the international level.

''The rest that he's had will stand him in good stead. He'll be fresh. He'll be champing at the bit. Australia will want someone as fresh as him now. He's cleared his mind and it will be great for world cricket to see him back in action,'' he said.

''If I was Cricket Australia, I'd back him to the hilt,'' he added.

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