Farce Robs Glenn Of Final Say

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Glenn McGrath (centre) bows out on a high

By David Clough, PA Sport, Bridgetown

All-time great Glenn McGrath was denied a final 'over of honour', amid the shambolic scenes which closed the 2007 World Cup.

Australia's winning captain Ricky Ponting revealed he had purposely left McGrath one over to bowl so he could conclude his outstanding career in the grand manner in Saturday's final against Sri Lanka at Kensington Oval.

But instead, a mix-up by officials over playing conditions resulted in the match finishing twice - with the teams returning to bowl three insipid overs in near darkness.

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene and Ponting therefore came to an amicable and sensible agreement that - with the Cup already in Australia's hands - they would ensure no unnecessary risks were taken.

The remaining overs were therefore bowled by spinners, with Sri Lanka's tailenders patting the ball back - to the general bemusement of a sell-out crowd.

Ponting explained how his plan for pace bowler McGrath was therefore foiled.

"I actually took him off when I did because I wanted him to bowl the last over of the game and send him off on the right note," he said.

"That was taken away from us as well - and unfortunately Simmo [Andrew Symonds] and Michael Clarke had to bowl the final three overs."

Even so, McGrath finished his career as by far the most successful bowler in the competition's history - and with the man-of-the-tournament accolade for a campaign in which he finished as the leading wicket-taker.

The 37-year-old was magnanimous about the bizarre circumstances of his last hurrah.

"I think it would be disappointing if you focused on 15 or 20 minutes of the whole tournament rather than the way we played throughout," he said.

McGrath helped Australia to dominate the past two months in the Caribbean - and go through the entire competition unbeaten, taking their winning streak in Cup games to 23, stretching back to 1999, as they wore the crown for an unprecedented third straight time.

"In my mind, we didn't just want to win every game in the tournament, but win every game convincingly - and I think we achieved that," McGrath said.

"I hope that is how this tournament will be remembered."

The veteran took just one wicket in Saturday's 53-run Duckworth-Lewis victory - and had a joke left in the locker too, suggesting that with his dwindling pace in his latter years, he could have bowled that final over after all.

"Some people say at the speed I'm bowling at I'm bowling all arm balls anyway!" he said.

"I guess it was nice to finish off with a catch behind with Gilly [Adam Gilchrist].

"It was the perfect way to finish, and I'm happy with that."

McGrath's 14-year association with a generation of outstandingly gifted Australians means he has much more to remember than how he finally departed the scene.

"I will remember the enjoyment of playing with these guys, the self-belief when you walk on the field that we can win every single game we play," he said.

"To go out there and have that belief not only in yourself but also your team-mates makes it a lot more enjoyable."