Glenn McGrath was as sharp as his cutters in responding to the fixing issue that has not only tainted the image of Indian cricket but has also shaken the very foundation of the game itself.
“It’s not the way I played cricket. I feel disappointed. The thought of not giving a hundred per cent on the field never came to my mind. There shouldn’t be fixing of any sort in any sport. The authorities must deal with it in the harshest manner possible if a player is found guilty. For me, this game is batsman versus bowler, team against team and players giving their best,” McGrath said.
While the world debates which form of fixing is worse — spot-fixing or match-fixing — McGrath felt the term fixing in itself is unacceptable in cricket. A smile with a nod of the head was what the ‘Pigeon’ offered when he was reminded of the scandal in which his compatriots were involved in the mid 90s. Shane Warne and Mark Waugh were let off with a fine by Cricket Australia after the duo admitted that they had provided an Indian bookie a tip on what the pitch was likely to be and the possible playing eleven during the 1994 tour of Sri Lanka.
The 43-year-old pace ace batted for his Aussie mates.
“I have played with Shane and Mark. They gave it all during their playing days. What happened was unfortunate and they were fined. Maybe they both were naïve,” said McGrath.