Glenn McGrath

McGrath’s second wedding in private ceremony:  The former Australian great bowler Glenn McGrath has re-married in a private ceremony. It has been two years since the death of his first wife. Jane, his first wife died of breast cancer. The Seven Network said McGrath married 28 year old Italian-American Sara Leonardi at their Sydney home in a ceremony in which even the former close teammates were also not invited. The network said only McGrath’s parents, stepmother and two children – James, 10, and Holly,8 were invited. The spin prodigious Warne was reported saying in a Twitter post on Wednesday “is it true Glenn McGrath got married today? Wow. Wish you all the best my friend.” McGrath also expressed to Leonardi to whom he became engaged in July that it made him feel alive again.

Lara joins Zimbabwe as batting consultant: The great West Indian Brain Lara said that he was signed by Zimbabwe Cricket as their national team batting consultant. “It’s a well-structured contract. I’m definitely looking forward to working with the team,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Lara, as saying. The 41-year old will work with the Zimbabwe team during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and also the home test series against Bangladesh in May. This series will mark a return of the team to test cricket after a long period of five years! Lara, who retired from international cricket in 2008, is currently playing for a local Zimbabwean team in a Twenty20 tournament.

John Benaud (Former Aussie Selector) launches a stinging attack against Hauritz: The off-spinner Nathan Hauritz is a part of the 17-man Ashes squad announced by Cricket Australia for the first test at Gabba starting November 25. Benaud, who was part of the selection panel that blooded Shane Warne against India in 1992, said: “Hauritz is just pedestrian. I just don’t see that Nathan has anything going for him at all, really.” Not just this, he assaulted the rookie even more saying “He’s had a few successes here and there, but he won’t run through the English batting line-up. You need confidence as a spin bowler and I don’t quite see Hauritz oozing confidence.”

Australia has lacked a quality spinner after the retirement of Shane Warne. Hauritz, 29, was ineffective against India recently averaging 65 for a mere six wickets in the two-match series. Benaud added that he would love to see the Tasmanian off-spinner Jason Kreja in the line-up. Kreja debuted in the Nagpur test match against India in 2008. He had impressive figures of 12 wickets for 358 runs in the test. John also suggested that Steve Smith was also a good option as a all-rounder for the side.

Tags: Brain Lara, Cricket, Cricket Australia, Glenn McGrath, Jane McGrath, John Benaud, Nathan Hauritz, Sara Leonardi, Seven Network, Sydney, Sydney Morning Herald