McGrath shortens run-up

NAIROBI - After 70,727 deliveries bowled metronomically off the same run-up in top-class cricket, Glenn McGrath decided it was time for a change.

Unfortunately for Kenya, the decision to shorten his run-up worked perfectly.

McGrath was sensational as he took 3-8 off eight overs against the startled Kenyans and was primarily responsible for their lowest total (84) since being allowed to play full one-day internationals.

For years - in Tests, first-class matches, one-day internationals and limited overs matches for NSW - McGrath has run in from his standard mark of 27 metres.

That equates to almost 20,000 kilometres of running, not to mention the equivalent 20,000km of walking back to the top of his run.

So it's little wonder the world's premier pace bowler was a bit tired of it all and decided to shorten his run to 17 metres.

"To be honest I haven't been overly impressed with my run-up over the last 12 months or so ... I wasn't hitting the crease as well as I have done," McGrath said after Australia made 2-85 to win the triangular series match by eight wickets here on Monday.

"I've had the same run-up since I started playing and I thought it was about time I had a change.

"I didn't expect to be trialling it in a match so soon but there was a great opportunity in this game. I'd felt comfortable in the nets so away I went.

"My follow-through was much better and I had much more in reserve - hopefully as time goes by I'll now be able to bowl longer spells."

Bowling off a shorter run also speeds up play in the one-day arena - especially with Australia currently using four pacemen - which will help avoid problems with slow over rates.

"With the shorter run-up in one-day game we get through our overs more quickly which gives us a bit more time (to make decisions) which is better for us," he said.

"This is something I've wanted to do for a while and I think I'll stick at now and see how it goes."

While fast bowlers often shorten their runs towards the end of their careers, young Aussie quick Brett Lee has also been cutting down while Jason Gillespie has been the prime mover to a more economical approach to the crease.

"I thought it may have been a tad long for the last couple of seasons, and I've found I can get the same amount of pace and rhythm and also momentum off a shorter run," Lee said.

"Growing up, like a lot of young kids I probably thought - like a lot of kids still do - that the faster you wanted to bowl, the longer your run-up had to be.

"That's totally not true, and Jason Gillespie's proved that - he's got a very short run and bowls at very good pace."