Remember me for my on-field achievement; not as a 'sledger': McGrath

Dubai, May 25 (UNI) Australia's champion fast bowler Glenn McGrath might have earned a 'sledger' tag from batsmen all over the world, but the former Aussie pacer reveals that he would like to be rembered more for his on-field achievement rather than for his sledging.

''I do not want to be remembered as a guy who sledged but for what I actually achieved on the field with my bowling. I did not want my children growing up saying negative things about their father,'' McGrath told 'The Gulf News'.

''If I did say something, it is because the guys were affected by it. International cricket is such that it all depends on how one handled it mentally. I feel one could do it so long as you do not go overboard,'' he added.

In fact, the 37-year-old Aussie, who retired from international cricket after clinching the man-of-the-series trophy for his extraordinary bowling in the World Cup, said he used to talk more to himself than the batsmen.

''I do a lot of talking to myself, especially when I am not happy and when I want to get myself going.'' McGrath was also of the view that at times sledging could boomerang, especially in case of batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and former Aussie captain Steve Waugh.

''If you chat to some batsmen, it makes them more determined and they might concentrate better. It might make our job harder.

''Sachin Tendulkar is one. Three times I had a chat with him.

A couple of times, even when I said nothing, he got stuck to me.

It was a bit of role reversal. I remember he hit back in Kenya and smashed us to win the game in the ICC Champions trophy,'' he said.

''Lara on his day will make him concentrate harder. The other guy is Steve Waugh. You tell him something and he will play better.

So you have to pick and choose your target,'' he added.

UNI