Glenn McGrath Line and Strength

Book excerpt: From working the land in Narromine to winning cricket's World Cup three times, Glenn McGrath has always faced life with fierce determination and an unerring will to succeed, despite the odds. Following his retirement from international cricket, McGrath shares the story of his life - in cricket and off the field. Known as 'Pigeon', he won his baggy green cap in Perth in 1993 and went on to forge a brilliant career, retiring as cricket's most successful fast bowler with 563 Test wickets. McGrath entered Ashes folklore in 1997 when he destroyed England by taking 8 for 38 at Lord's, and he even scored a Test half-century with the bat. With leg spinner Shane Warne, he formed the most devastating bowling combination in Test history. Glenn McGrath's most meaningful achievements, however, have been off the field. With his wife Jane, who battled breast and bone cancers, he established the McGrath Foundation, a major fundraiser for and supporter of people with breast cancer. In the book, in their own words, the McGraths discussed their ongoing battles with the disease. Line and Strength is the tell-all story of an Australian country boy who took on the world. After battling cancer for 11 years, Jane died on 22 June 2008. Glenn is now the Chairman of the McGrath Foundation and continues to fundraise tirelessly to place breastcare nurses in hospitals.