I'll brush you aside one last time, says McGrath

14 April 2012

England have already been dismissed as dangerous World Cup opponents by a familiar foe who has just become a tournament legend.

Glenn McGrath has just passed Wasim Akram's World Cup record of 55 wickets, in the victory over Bangladesh on Saturday, but is just as experienced at scoffing at England's prospects.

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McGrath in familiar celebratory pose

Sunday could see his last match against England, a Super Eight meeting in Antigua. And, surprise, surprise, the 37-year-old paceman can see only one outcome.

"With the way England have been playing and the way we've been playing, we should win this game pretty well," said McGrath, who is retiring from all cricket at the end of this tournament. "Potentially it could be the last time I come up against these guys before I hang my boots up so it would be nice to finish on a good note.

"I always enjoy playing England - and I prefer to beat them, obviously."

It has not quite been glory, glory all the way against the Poms, though. Take the Commonwealth Bank series in Australia a couple of months ago, for example, when England stunned McGrath and Co with three straight victories to capture a one-day title that had seemed way out of their reach.

"They played well to finish off the season in Australia," said McGrath. "We probably let our guard down a bit and did things differently to the way we had been doing.

"But since we have been over here we have prepared exactly the way we have wanted to and have been ready for every game we've played.

"I think we have played some awesome cricket and, to be honest, no team has really got close to us." The Aussies performed well in their warm-up games, including giving England a comfortable beating, and the holders have now reeled off five consecutive World Cup victories to breeze through their group and then storm to the top of the Super Eight table.

A semi-final place seems a formality already and their billing as event favourites appears spot on.

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