Inzamam says Australia will badly miss Warne and McGrath

LONDON, Dec 30 (Reuters) Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq believes Australia will be a much weaker team when Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath retire next year.

''Everybody in cricket will miss them but more importantly I think Australia will miss them a great deal because they are big performers and take most of the team's wickets,'' said Inzamam in his bigstarcricket.com diary yesterday.

''It is not good news for Australia as I can remember a couple of occasions when they didn't play and they found it very tough. Every batsman will breathe a sigh of relief when they are gone.'' Leg spinner Warne will retire from international cricket after next week's fifth and final Ashes test against England in Sydney. Fast bowler McGrath bows out after the World Cup in the Caribbean in March and April.

''Both are great players, great bowlers,'' said Inzamam.

''Without them Australia are definitely going to be a lot weaker and teams will now be much more confident about beating them.

''Both players always seem to perform when Australia win and it's no coincidence.'' Inzamam's first task in the New Year will be to lead Pakistan on their tour of South Africa.

Reuters SBA VP0412