McGrath linked to NSW coaching role

Glenn McGrath: a new beginning? © Getty Images

Glenn McGrath is being sounded out for a possible coaching role with New South Wales, according to their chief executive, Dave Gilbert. McGrath, 37, retired from all cricket in April after helping Australia to a third consecutive World Cup title, having bowed out of Tests against England on his home ground at Sydney in January.

"We have been mindful of giving him a bit of breathing space since his retirement, but we are definitely keen to get him on board," said Gilbert in Thursday's Sydney Morning Herald. "He has so much knowledge and experience that younger players could benefit from, and we're hopeful that he is willing to pass that on". NSW's previous bowling coach, Anthony Stuart, departed last year.

McGrath's final act of an illustrious career was to overtake the Pakistani great Wasim Akram as the World Cup's all-time leading wicket-taker with 71 victims, and in the process he also set the record for the greatest number of wickets at a single tournament - 26, three more than the Sri Lankan Chaminda Vaas racked up in South Africa in 2003.

Meanwhile, McGrath's long-time sidekick, Brett Lee, will in all likelihood take part in the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup to be held in South Africa in September after successfully completing his first running session since tearing ankle ligaments in February.

Lee turned his ankle on the eve of the Chappell-Hadlee series between New Zealand and Australia, subsequently missing the World Cup. He reported no discomfort after a lengthy sprint session earlier this week. "I'm really happy with how it's going," Lee said. "I actually ran much further this week than I was going to because it felt good."