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McGrath wrecked NZ with new run-up

Brian Murgatroyd

Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath has revealed he used a new run-up to wreck New Zealand's top-order in Sunday's Champions Trophy clash.

McGrath took five for 37, including his 250th wicket in one-day internationals, as defending champions New Zealand were shot out for just 132 to be beaten by 164 runs.

But afterwards the big fast bowler said he had taken his fifth five-wicket haul with a run-up he had used just once before, in practice the day before the match.

"I tried it out for about ten balls in the nets and it felt okay so I decided to give it a go in the match," he told reporters.

McGrath had reduced his original 27-metre run to 17 metres during the recent triangular series against Pakistan and Kenya but found he was struggling for rhythm.

He lengthened it to around 22-1/2 metres in the nets on Saturday and when it felt good he decided to use it in the match.

"I have two markers in my run-up now as a point of reference," he said.

"I didn't have them before and I was getting lost. I felt I got my rhythm back and got enough balls in the right area so I'll take that."

Despite his run-up problems, McGrath said he felt his method was very straightforward.

"I don't bowl quick and I don't do much with the ball," he said. "I just land the ball where I want to."

"I think accuracy is my biggest key and a bit of bounce as well.

NO SECRET

"I don't think there's a secret to fast bowling, no matter what pace you bowl at. If you land the ball 99 times out of 100 in the area you want, hitting the top of off (stump) then you'll take wickets, that's how my theory works," added McGrath.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting did not rule out shuffling the batting line-up around against Bangladesh on Thursday to ensure all his batsmen have time in the middle ahead of a possible semi-final with Sri Lanka.

"Matthew Hayden was the only one who really batted for a long time in Kenya," he said. "Most of the others didn't have a lot of work.

"Damien Martyn and Michael Bevan had some good time in the middle (against New Zealand) and we would hope for the same in our next game against Bangladesh.

"Time in the middle is important because conditions are different, they do need adjusting to, and it would be good if all the batters could have another solid hit-out before a semi-final."

But despite that positive talk Ponting said his players would not be taking Bangladesh lightly, despite their crushing win over Stephen Fleming's side.

"We'll have to wait and see about Bangladesh, the next game will be totally different," he said.

"We had a very close game against Kenya a few weeks ago but we would like to think we can perform well again."

In the meantime, Australia can celebrate a win in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy, the first time in three attempts that they have won a first-round match in the event that was previously known as the ICC Knock-out.

"That's a monkey off our back," said Ponting, "We've actually won some prize money in this tournament. It was nice to get the winner's cheque today."

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