McGrath coming to India to coach

Kolkata: Glenn McGrath isn't ready yet to take up a full-time job as a bowling coach but an occasional foray in his area of expertise seems to be fine.

The legendary Australian pacer is coming to India for a coaching assignment later this month.

McGrath, who retired from international cricket after the World Cup, capped a glorious career winning the man of the tournament award at the tournament and guiding Australia to their third straight crown.

He may have walked into the sunset with the world wondering why, but McGrath will be in Kolkata and Hyderabad as part of a sponsor initiative to hand out tips to aspiring speedsters.

Naturally, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is very excited at the prospects of having McGrath as the coach.

"From the CAB point of view I would like to take maximum advantage of this opportunity of Glenn McGrath coming to this state. All the bowlers from the top most Ranji players downwards to under-15 should be there and take maximum advantage of this opportunity," CAB President Prasun Mukherjee said.

And if the administrators are pleased, for fast bowling aspirants it is a god-sent opportunity.

Bengal pacer Ranadeb Bose was the leading wicket-taker in domestic cricket last season and is seeing it as the ideal opportunity to take his game to the next level.

"I need to ask him about psychological issues because he is not going to teach us how bowl an outswinger or an inswinger. It is more about the mental thing. It is more about how you train your mind because I honestly believe that these Australians are so hard-working that they can actually walk through walls," Bose said.

The 37-year-old McGrath will also spend a day with 300 or so junior cricketers, specially selected by CAB.