McGrath calls for ‘chin music’ against Strauss to derail England’s Ashes campaign

SYDNEY - Australian bowling legend Glenn McGrath has told Australia’s fast bowlers to target England skipper Andrew Strauss to derail the tourists’ Ashes campaign.

Strauss is seeking to become the first England captain to win back-to-back Ashes series for almost 30 years.

“I grew up watching the great West Indies sides of the mid-1980s. They targeted the opposition captain and that had an effect on the rest of the team. Andrew Strauss is a key for the English,” the Daily Mail quoted McGrath, as saying.

McGrath said that Strauss’ disappointing outing in the 2006-07 series in Australia could come back to haunt him.

“You can think about the way you’ve gone in certain conditions and it can always play on your mind. The opening batsmen are key for England and Australia will target them,” the former fast bowler said.

The 40-year-old is also confident that Australian bowling attack can expose chinks in the armour of England’s middle order stars Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell.

“Pietersen is always a chance early on. I know in county cricket the plans were always to attack the stumps early and look to get him lbw or bowled,” McGrath said.

“As for Ian Bell, I used to enjoy bowling to him - I always felt there was a chance of getting him. The boys will have a go at attacking him and we’ll see how tough he is,” he added. (ANI)