McGrath chases record

Aussie star is one wicket away from equalling Pakistan paceman Wasim Akram's Cup record of 55 scalps going into Saturday's Super Eights game against unfancied Bangladesh. Glenn McGrath was delighted he was about to surpass Akram's Cup milestone after taking nine scalps in the first four matches and said he had no plans to rescind on his decision to retire from international cricket after the World Cup. McGrath retired from tests after the Ashes series and is the third highest test wicket-taker with 563. He felt Australia's one-day series defeats against England and New Zealand helped the team rectify flaws and go on to prove people wrong that the team was on the decline. No team have been able to challenge Australia with South Africa losing their closest-contested game by 83 runs on Saturday. McGrath, who also spearheaded the bowling in the 1999 and 2003 triumphs, said his predictions were an attempt to challenge the team and a statement of fact. He rightly forecast a 5-0 drubbing for England in last year's Ashes series in Australia and feels Australia's one-day series defeats against England and New Zealand helped the team rectify flaws and go on to prove people wrong that the team was on the decline. The seven-week World Cup culminates in the April 28 final in Barbados. Australia won the tournament in 1999 in England and 2003 in South Africa and are attempting to secure an unprecedented three-in-a-row.