McGrath targets Strauss

[Beny]

http://www.theage.com.au/news/Cricke...230002193.html

Andrew Strauss should feel either very flattered or very afraid. England's new opening batting sensation has been singled out by Australia's eagle-eyed fast bowler, Glenn McGrath, for special treatment during the most eagerly anticipated Ashes contest in 16 years.
Strauss could be forgiven for waking in a clammy sweat to the news that McGrath is likely to target him during the Ashes, for more celebrated batsman than him - former England captain Michael Atherton, West Indies great Brian Lara and South African Gary Kirsten, to name a few - have been reduced to bunnies transfixed by McGrath's cold stare after being methodically marked before a series by Australia's veteran paceman. He has a way of getting into their minds.

It's all hotting up!

[Paoli]

Well if Strauss belts the pants off McGrath we'll see whos laughing!!!

[Teatime FatCat]

Oh Yawn! Pigeon's targetted another batsman, and mentioned it in the press, what a headline! I really don't think Straussy will lose any sleep over this, as an opening bat, he was probably focusing all his energies on how to deal with McGrath and Gillespie anyway. What Glenn has said tells Straussy nothing new anyway.

He should be flattered, but I think McGrath should be targetting all of the English batsmen and not wasting time on rather feeble, obvious attempts at mind-games, that come as no surprise to anyone. To be fair he probably knows this anyway, and is letting an interviewer or two run away with it. It's all a bit lame really!

(Ooooh get me!)

[Paoli]

Exactly a la Vaughan Ashes 2002-03 when Vaughan scored 700 runs. All in favour of Vaughan as an opener???? I am in any case.

[Occasional Fan]

Originally Posted by The Age

[McGrath] has a way of getting into their minds.

The Australian press falls for this every time, doesn't it? What kind of people do they really think play Test cricket these days? Strauss, of all people, won't give a toss what McGrath says to the press. Come on, McGrath: show us what you're made of when you arrive at Lord's.

[Zainub]

Old story new twist, he targetted Astle and Flemming vs NZ, Youhanna and Inzamam ul Haq vs Pakistan. I don't think any one (except the press) pays a whole lot of attention to all this.

[Beny]

When it gets built up before a series that it's me versus Lara or me versus Sachin (Tendulkar), then it's got that batsman thinking about me. He may forget a little bit about the other bowlers in the team. And if I bowl well enough to get that batsman out once or twice in the first Test, then all of a sudden, it's in the press that McGrath has got his target. That piles on even more pressure."

I think it's more important than you all think.

[Zainub]

And if I bowl well enough to get that batsman out once or twice in the first Test, then all of a sudden, it's in the press that McGrath has got his target. That piles on even more pressure.

I think players are now-a-days advised to not read papers while playing or in b/w the series. Its much less important that McGrath makes it look Beny.

[kwazimoto]

i am so sick of aussie arrogance it makes me sick i can't wait for new zealand to give them a good thrashing and bring them down off their pedastal

[bevo]

newzealand i dont think so mate , australia , might lose one game i doubt that highly , but not the ODI or TEST series , especially with mcgrath , ponting , martyn and gilly i doubt that , and clarke