‘India can’t afford to take England lightly’: Glenn McGrath warns ahead of big semi-final

CHENNAI: Renowned former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath expects India and South Africa to lock horns in the final of the T20 World Cup but feels Suryakumar Yadav and Co. need to be cautious against England, who have had a patchy campaign, in the semifinals on Thursday.

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“England are a dangerous team. If they really click on the day, they can do anything. However, they’ve been lucky as well. Nepal should have beaten them. Italy was a close game. So, they’ve found ways to win. Maybe that’ll give them confidence that they’ve just peaked for the semifinal.




“If India go out there and play as they have throughout this tournament and England go out and play as they have, India should go through,” McGrath said, adding, “The two teams I would pick to be in the final are going to be South Africa and India.”

McGrath, the director of coaching at the MRF Pace Foundation, said he was really impressed by South Africa. “Some time back, they came out and said they were focusing on T20 cricket moving forward. They have good hitters and very good bowling attack.”

About South Africa having to face New Zealand in the semis, McGrath said, “There’s something about New Zealand when they face South Africa. South Africa always win convincingly, I don’t know why.”

‘Bumrah is a big-game player’
McGrath also felt India’s bowling attack will be crucial in the knockouts, singling out Jasprit Bumrah as a “big-game player”.

“First, it’ll be about winning the toss and deciding what to do. India have a good bowling attack. Arshdeep Singh is doing well and Bumrah is quality. Arshdeep has been probably the pick of India’s bowlers but Bumrah is a big game player. Sometimes during the big games, these players lift their games. In just a normal game, not saying the focus is not there, but they really love those big moments, big games. But I’ve got total faith in Bumrah when it comes to big matches. I’m always a big fan of him.”

‘Australia’s exit not surprising’
McGrath admitted he had harboured doubts about Australia’s prospects even before the tournament began. “I had said I was concerned with Australia. I thought they might make the Super 8, but to be honest, I didn’t feel they would progress much further. For Australia to get knocked out before the Super-8s and Zimbabwe going through, hopefully that hurts them. Disappointing, but not surprising,” he said.


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