General Cricket Discussion Thread - Page 54

Glenn McGrath predicts another 4-0 defeat for India in Australia

Bangalore, Fri, Nov 21 2014	Text Size

The 'Pigeon' predicts another whitewash Getty

Former Australian fast bowler, Glenn McGrath, has predicted another whitewash for the visiting Indian team in the Test series between the two sides starting next month at The Gabba. The former speedster believes that the Australian team is equipped to handle the Indian challenge even without captain Michael Clarke, who is facing injury concerns ahead of the series opener.

"I have no issues in saying that I think it'll be 4-0," McGrath said in an interview with Sydney Morning Herald. While India have consistently performed well in the limited overs format, their recent Test record, especially overseas, makes for sorry reading. They last won a Test series outside the sub-continent when they beat the West Indies in 2011 and since then have lost at England(twice), Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. The last time India toured Australia in 2011-12, they were whitewashed 4-0 and McGrath sees no reason for the result to be any different this time. "Historically, they've never played well (against) a bit of bounce and seam. They're going to have their work cut out. They've got to turn things around big time otherwise they're going to get thumped over here," said McGrath.

Director of MRF Pace Foundation, McGrath, felt that while India are a good limited-overs side, they might find the fast bowling trio of Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris, too hot to handle. The last time India toured Australia, they had Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman in the side and still couldn't avoid the 4-0 drubbing. "Recently. the contests have been really one-sided. We won 4-0 over here, they won 4-0 over there. Potentially, I think, it's going to be exactly the same when they come here," opined McGrath, referring to the recent Test series between the two countries, both of which ended with an emphatic 4-0 win for the home side