Glenn McGrath is an Australian former international cricketer widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of the game.
Known for his remarkable accuracy and ability to maintain a consistent line and length, McGrath played for the Australian cricket team from 1993 to 2007. With a record 563 wickets in Test cricket, he is the highest wicket-taker among fast bowlers in the format.
Here we have Glenn McGrath’s net worth, earnings, salary, career, stats, personal life, and more.
Glenn McGrath’s Biography
| Full Name | Glenn Donald McGrath |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 9, 1970 |
| Place of Birth | Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Role | Bowler |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast-medium |
| Test Debut | November 12, 1993 (vs New Zealand) |
| ODI Debut | December 9, 1993 (vs South Africa) |
| Height | 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) |
Glenn Donald McGrath was born on February 9, 1970, in Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia. Raised in the rural town of Narromine, McGrath honed his bowling skills on local pitches before catching the attention of national selectors.
He debuted for the Australian cricket team in 1993 and became a dominant force in international cricket for over a decade. McGrath’s disciplined bowling style and ability to exploit the weaknesses of batsmen made him a key figure in Australia’s dominance during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Career
Glenn McGrath’s career was characterized by his unmatched precision, fitness, and ability to extract subtle movement off the pitch. He debuted in Test cricket against New Zealand in 1993 and quickly became a leading bowler in world cricket.
His breakthrough came during the 1995 West Indies tour, where he played a key role in helping Australia win its first series in the Caribbean in over two decades.
McGrath formed a formidable partnership with fellow bowlers Shane Warne and Jason Gillespie, leading Australia’s pace attack to numerous victories, including three consecutive ICC Cricket World Cups (1999, 2003, and 2007).
He was named the Player of the Tournament in the 2007 World Cup, a fitting end to his ODI career.
Some of his most notable performances came in the Ashes series against England, where McGrath’s bowling feats, such as taking 8 wickets for 38 runs at Lord’s in 1997, remain legendary.
He retired from international cricket in 2007, leaving behind a legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
Records and Achievements
- Highest wicket-taker among fast bowlers in Test cricket: 563 wickets.
- Second-highest wicket-taker for Australia in Test matches (behind Shane Warne).
- Most wickets by a fast bowler in World Cups: 71 wickets.
- Player of the Tournament in the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup.
- First fast bowler to reach 500 Test wickets.
- Holds the record for the most number of catches as a bowler in Test cricket (38).
Glenn McGrath’s Wife
Glenn McGrath was first married to Jane Louise McGrath, a British-born Australian, in 1999. The couple had two children together, a son and a daughter. Jane became widely known for her brave battle with breast cancer, which she was diagnosed with in 1997.
After her passing in 2008, McGrath established the McGrath Foundation in her honor to raise awareness and provide support for breast cancer patients.
In 2010, McGrath married Italian interior designer Sara Leonardi. They married at home in Cronulla on 18 November 2010.
Glenn McGrath’s Net Worth Details
Glenn McGrath‘s net worth is estimated to be $25 million as of 2025.
His earnings stem from his cricketing career, including match fees, central contracts with Cricket Australia, and prize money from various international tournaments, especially his three World Cup victories.
Post-retirement, McGrath has remained active in cricket commentary, brand endorsements, and as a coach, further adding to his wealth.
Salary
As a player, McGrath earned a substantial salary from Cricket Australia, with match fees and central contracts forming the bulk of his income.
His post-retirement earnings include commentary fees and coaching contracts, as well as income from his philanthropic work with the McGrath Foundation.
| Year | Salary (in USD) |
|---|---|
| 2005 | $1.5 million |
| 2007 | $2 million |
| 2015 | $3 million |
| 2020 | $5 million |
| 2024 | $6 million |
Net Worth Growth
| Year | Net Worth (in USD) |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $20 million |
| 2021 | $21 million |
| 2022 | $22.5 million |
| 2023 | $24 million |
| 2024 | $25 million |
Endorsements
Throughout his career, McGrath has been associated with brands like Castrol, Spartan Sports, and Adidas. His popularity in both Australia and international cricket has made him a sought-after figure for endorsements.
Stats
Here is the career bowling stats table for Glenn McGrath:
| Format | Matches (M) | Innings (Inn) | Balls Bowled (B) | Maidens (Mdn) | Runs Given (Runs) | Wickets (W) | Best Bowling (BB) | Economy Rate (Econ) | Average (Avg) | Strike Rate (SR) | 4 Wicket Hauls (4W) | 5 Wicket Hauls (5W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 124 | 243 | 29,248 | 1,471 | 12,186 | 563 | 8/24 | 2.49 | 21.6 | 52.0 | 28 | 29 |
| ODI | 250 | 248 | 12,970 | 279 | 8,391 | 381 | 7/15 | 3.88 | 22.0 | 34.0 | 9 | 7 |
| T20I | 2 | 2 | 48 | 0 | 79 | 5 | 3/31 | 9.87 | 15.8 | 9.6 | 0 | 0 |
FAQs
1. Who is Glenn McGrath?
Glenn McGrath is a former Australian cricketer, regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history. He played international cricket from 1993 to 2007, taking 563 Test wickets and 381 ODI wickets.
2. What are Glenn McGrath’s major achievements in cricket?
McGrath holds the record for most Test wickets by a fast bowler (563) until surpassed in 2018. He won three consecutive ICC Cricket World Cups (1999, 2003, 2007) and was named Player of the Tournament in 2007. He also holds the record for most wickets in World Cups (71).
3. What is the McGrath Foundation?
The McGrath Foundation, co-founded by Glenn and his late wife Jane in 2005, is a charity focused on breast cancer support and education. It funds breast care nurses across Australia and raises awareness through events like the “Pink Test.”
4. Why is Glenn McGrath nicknamed “Pigeon”?
McGrath earned the nickname “Pigeon” during his early days due to his thin legs, which teammates thought resembled a pigeon’s.
5. What is Glenn McGrath’s bowling style?
McGrath was known for his fast-medium pace, unerring accuracy, and ability to maintain a consistent line and length, making him one of the most economical and effective bowlers of his era.
6. What is Glenn McGrath’s connection to the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)?
The SCG holds special significance for McGrath as it was the venue for his final Test match during the 2006-07 Ashes series. It also hosts “Jane McGrath Day” annually to honor his late wife and support breast cancer awareness.
7. How did Glenn McGrath perform as a batsman?
While primarily a bowler, McGrath was known for his modest batting skills. His career highlight was scoring 61 runs in a Test match against New Zealand in 2004.
8. What honors has Glenn McGrath received?
McGrath has been inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame and received multiple awards, including being named an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his contributions to cricket and community health.
9. Who are Glenn McGrath’s family members?
McGrath has two children, James and Holly, from his first marriage to Jane, who passed away in 2008. He later married Sara Leonardi in 2010, and they have one daughter together named Madison.
10. Did Glenn McGrath face any controversies?
In 2008, McGrath participated in a legal hunting safari in Zimbabwe, which drew public criticism after photos surfaced years later. He expressed deep regret over this incident.
