'Aussies don't dwell on past'

Gaurav Kalra: What do you reckon? Who won this one? Suppose it was like a Mohammad Ali vs Joe Frazer, it wouldn't be a knock out but do you think Glenn McGrath on points?

Glenn McGrath: I have had some success and there have been days when Sachin has had some success. I would probably say I have got it 55-45 in my favour.

Gaurav Kalra: That is going to make a headline in India. But how about Brian Lara – the other great modern gladiator? That was energetic and more of a combative contest because at times you had a go at each other verbally as well. Different to Sachin but a very special player who has finished his career in this World Cup.

Glenn McGrath: I think out of anyone in world cricket my biggest battles were against Brian Lara. I got him out quiet a few times and there were some days when he scored some big runs. I remember a couple of double hundreds. That was the biggest battle that I ever faced. Some days I walked away with his wicket and other days he got me.

Gaurav Kalra: Is that 55-45 to you?

Glenn McGrath: I would say 51-49 in my favour.

Gaurav Kalra: Now the difficult question maybe – the tag of the ugly Australians. It has gone off in the last couple of years, Steve Waugh mentioned it in his book. You also got tagged with that for being overtly aggressive on the field. Do you regret any of what happened in international cricket over the last few years?

Glenn McGrath: I think regret is probably a harsh word. There are a few days when you walk off the field after something has happened and you wish that it hadn't happened. I think I could have carried on or wish things were a little different there, but at the end of the day, I am who I am and I do share my emotions when I'm playing.

The Australian team does get labelled with that a little bit, but I think we don't say more than any team on the field. Maybe we are a little bit more upfront than other teams, but they still have a fair bit to say.

Gaurav Kalra: The word of course is ‘mental disintegration’ that Steve Waugh made popular and you worked under him as well. For instance, in the semi-final against South Africa, would you go there and say, "remember '99 boys?" That would still be okay, but would there be personal abuse at all, something that would probably be unacceptable and something you guys would regret later on?

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