Tahlia taking the ‘McGrath’ legacy to newer heights

The latest holder of the McGrath surname in the cricketing world has taken the Ashes by storm much like Glenn. When Tahlia wore her jersey which said “McGrath” on the back, it might have given a few goosebumps to many English fans. And understandably so because the man who carried the number 11 with the name “McGrath” has demolished English batting lineups on numerous occasions. 


The number has now changed to 32 but the “McGrath” impact remains carries on in the Women’s Ashes. Marching towards a strong first innings total in the 2022 Women’s Ashes opener, the English batting collided against an in-form Tahlia who picked 3/26, limiting the English Women side to a par score of 169. 


It was always going to be a tricky chase, but the newest sensation in town made a mockery of the total. Tahlia McGrath smashed 91(49) taking a well established English attack to the cleaners. In a stiff run chase, where their best T20 batter (Beth Mooney) is unavailable and the greatest all-rounder of women’s cricket is dropped, Tahlia walked into Carrara Oval, Queensland with a significant responsibility. Yet, it did not bother her one bit as she whacked 13 fours and a six against the English attack, finishing the chase with ease.


Meanwhile, Ellyse Perry’s returns in T20 cricket were diminishing, and her economy rate registered one of the highest in the recently concluded WBBL. Australia were looking for an all-rounder who could bat in the top 6 and potentially McGrath could do it. However, her modest record with a batting average of 16 and strike-rate of 102 didn’t inspire any pretty reading.


While these numbers were just a glimpse of the capabilities of the South Australian who grinded in the domestic circuit for years. The selectors had picked her and gave her enough confidence and game time in the series against India last year. One the bigger stage, McGrath shone through with an all-round performance against India and announced her arrival at the international level.


Later in the WBBL, despite having middling seasons since 2015, McGrath took the tournament by storm, leading the Strikers with her middle order heroics. She aggregated 338 runs at an average of 42 and a healthy strike rate of 114. The all-rounder was peaking at the right time.


Her selection in the Women’s Ashes was of no surprise, but the fact that she leapfrogged Perry in such a quick time to be in the first XI turned many heads. Yet, she completely shifted the limelight to her all-round brilliance as she gave Australia a winning start.


So, only one question remains. Can she be the next big thing in women’s cricket? Only time will tell.

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SA vs IND | 3rd ODI: With tweak in playing XI on the cards, India look for consolation win

India have been outplayed in the three-match ODI series against South Africa after they lost the first two encounters. The Proteas have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead and would be looking to complete a whitewash in the third ODI slated to take place on Sunday in Cape Town. The home side has been riding on some exceptional performance from the batting unit while the bowling department has been able to pick wickets at crucial junctions to keep them in the hunt. The bowlers have been clinical in breaking the partnerships just like they did in the second game twice. The South African bowlers got an important breakthrough when they dismissed Shikhar Dhawan after the opener had put up 63 along with stand-in captain KL Rahul on the board and then got rid of Virat Kohli who was undone for a five-ball duck. Similarly, the bowling unit was able to break the steady stand between Rahul and Rishabh Pant after they had stitched 115 runs for the third wicket. A quick fall of wickets pushed the visitors on the back foot and prevented them from putting up a huge total. India would now look for a consolation win in this final ODI. Match Details Match: RSA vs IND, 3rd ODI, India tour of South Africa, 2021-22 Date: Sunday, January 23, 2022 Time: 2:00 PM Venue: Newlands, Cape Town Pitch Report The track in Cape Town is expected to provide some assistance to the fast bowlers. Having said that, some good pace and bounce can be expected with the ball coming nicely on the bat. A high-voltage drama is on the cards. The team that wins the toss might opt to chase. South Africa can experiment South Africa might experiment with the playing XI and can include someone like Marco Jansen, considering the kind of pitch that is expected in Cape Town. The batting lineup has been in good shape and the hosts won't be looking to make any changes there. Tweak in Indian line up on the cards The Indian team has been thoroughly dominated in the series but they would still like to conclude the fixtures with a win. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was hit for 40 runs in the first four overs that he bowled in the second match and looked out of touch. The management might get in Deepak Chahar who also gives a batting option in the lower order. Probable Playing XI India: Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul (c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Shreyas Iyer , Venkatesh Iyer, R Ashwin, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah and Yuzvendra Chahal South Africa: Janneman Malan, Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Sisanda Magala, Marco Jansen and Tabraiz Shamsi Fantasy XI Quinton de Kock, Rishabh Pant, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur (VC), Tabraiz Shamsi (C)