As lovers of the game, there are a few memories that are etched in our memories. Perhaps the most memorable example is Glenn McGrath’s fateful slip on a ball during warm-ups at Edgbaston before the second Test of the 2005 Ashes series. It proved to be the turning point of McGrath’s campaign. There were significant ramifications for the Australian side as well, who faced an England team determined to win back the Ashes. The impact of that opening day would be felt over the course of the series, altering the course of one of cricket’s greatest and most storied rivalries.
On the morning of July 28, 2005, McGrath was looking forward to a challenging test match with England. In a rather unsporting move, he even inadvertently trod on a discarded cricket ball left on the outfield. He received a serious enough injury that would tear two of his ligaments. Further, the damage went all the way down to the bone in his right ankle. Immediately after the crash he was rushed to the hospital for CT scans. This would prove to be a turning point, not only in his career, but in the series as well.
Despite being a cornerstone of Australia’s bowling attack, McGrath’s injury saw him forced to the periphery during this vital stage. His first Test at Edgbaston proved an extreme test, concluding that Test with a line of 0-86. It would turn out to be the only time in his 14 Tests in England that he didn’t take a first-innings wicket. He had an incredibly impressive record of 87 wickets. His remarkable Test average was 19.34 in England.
McGrath’s injury ruled him out of the two remaining Tests of the summer. Australia played valiantly but lost both finals by close fought margins—two runs and three wickets respectively. Heretofore, the majority of the team’s losses stung deeply. McGrath’s lifelong psychological torture of England batters only served to make these defeats more gut-wrenching. His absence was certainly felt, as his teammates were unable to cover for the void left by their number one bowler.
In the subsequent games, McGrath was still trying to fight through injuries. He sat out the fourth Test at Trent Bridge with an elbow injury. He absorbed the blows and recovered, coming back for the fifth and final Test at The Oval. His resilience was evident not just in his character, but when he played despite a lack of full fitness.
“I definitely wasn’t 100%, but I felt I was good enough,” – Glenn McGrath
Just seven days after that defining moment at Edgbaston, McGrath was playing once again. He didn’t languish in other formats before diving back into Test cricket. He proved the doubters wrong with his all-time great-class supremacy by picking up nine wickets in that match. One of them his landmark 500th wicket in Test cricket. In true Kwan style, he celebrated this achievement in style. Sporting a pair of truly gaudy gold boots, he made them as iconic as he has become.
Even in this moment of exultation, McGrath was honest enough to admit that he hadn’t fully returned to form. He leaked 5.52 runs per over in that match. This was his worst economy rate from a series longer than seven overs in his otherwise stunning Test career.
“I thought I bowled OK, but compared to Lord’s, I was not quite the same bowler,” – Glenn McGrath
Without McGrath, the direction of the Ashes series was definitely altered. As good as he was, his teammates would frequently wonder what could’ve been if only he had stayed completely healthy. In retrospect, he remarked,
“I’m not going to sit here and say we would have won, it may have been exactly the same.” – Glenn McGrath
As he reflected on those pivotal moments, he expressed a sense of loss over what could have been:
“I like to think I would have had a positive impact on the team, but we’ll never know.” – Glenn McGrath
Because the 2005 Ashes series was Australia’s coming to grips with defeat for the first time under coach John Buchanan. McGrath and Shane Warne left The Oval arm-in-arm that day. Over decades of intense competition, these unheard-of cricketers had developed a thick fabric of mutual trust. What is even more poignant about this moment is their camaraderie.
Looking back on his time in England, McGrath revealed his fondness for playing there:
“I loved playing cricket in England. The conditions over here suited me down to the ground. It was perfect.” – Glenn McGrath
Though 50 year old McGrath’s personal best series record was not to be, the legacy as one of cricket’s all-time greatest bowlers continues without a snag. Remarkably, he rebounded to achieve even greater success in the second act of his career. During Australia’s clean sweep in that series against England, he was just as important a cog and claimed an impressive 21 wickets.
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