It will be great to rewrite a World Cup record: McGrath

St Johns, Antigua, Mar 30 (UNI) Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath today expressed his desire of creating a World Cup record of becoming the highest wicket taker in this global competition before he hangs up his boots from the shorter version of the game.

''I am eagerly awaiting to set the highest wicket taker World Cup record as it will be fantastic to rewrite the record,'' the 37-year-old pacer playing in his fourth World Cup, told media persons during the teams net session at the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARCG) here.

McGrath, who has already announced his retirement from One-day cricket after the mega event, was of the view that it will be an ultimate reward for him if he ends his 14-year-old career with a new milestone.

The Australian pacer, who has already taken 54 wickets in World Cup and is only a wicket short of equaling Pakistani legend Wasim Akram's feat of 55 wickets, said, ''It is not easy to set a World Cup record and it also feels great if you are breaking or rewriting the record of a player whom you respect and admire.'' ''It is a fascinating feeling to be on the verge of a milestone.

Players like Akram, who is regarded as one of the best pace bowlers of all time, are sort of heroes for me. To finally go past him would be something special for me,'' said McGrath, who has so far claimed nine wickets in the ongoing tournament.

The left-arm Pakistani great played 38 matches to achieve that haul, while McGrath has so far played 32 matches with five super league matches still to follow and if his side gets into final that adds to two more matches.

He also exuded confidence on his side to create yet another record by winning the World Cup for the third successive time.

''I do not see any serious challenge. If we go and play the way we have, I can't really see any team getting close to us.'' The tall lanky Aussie pacer, who led the bowling attack in both 1999 and 2003 title wins said, ''At the end of the day I don't say anything that I don't believe. We know how to win and that is why we've been so successful over such a long period of time.'' ''When you walk on the field you just have to look around you, the guys that are walking with you. There are some amazing players, some of the greats of all time. It does give you a lot of confidence." He also made it clear that he will not change his retirement plan.

''I am going to hang up my boots after this tournament. I've been lucky enough to play 14 years at the top level and now its my turn to move on.'' Commenting on his side's recent slum in one-day cricket which includes two series defeats against England and New Zealand just before the game's greatest show, McGrath said, ''It helped the team to rectify flaws. It was probably the perfect build-up for us. You don't want to come into the tournament in peak form but you need to peak at the right time which we are doing.'' He also defended team mate Michael Hussey who has been going through a poor patch in the tournament so far by ssying, ''He is coming in at the last four of five overs and has had no time to settle down,'' adding, ''it shows he is a great team player as he is not worried about his own average.'' Australia play their second Super Eight league match on Saturday against rookie qualifiers Bangladesh, who earlier shocked India out of the competition from the first round.

UNI