In association with Caribbean Star Airline
ORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Despite enduring a bruising bouncer-battle with fiery fast bowler Brett Lee on the final day of the second Cable and Wireless Test, West Indies captain Brian Lara says it is more challenging coping with Glenn McGrath than his Australian compatriot.

“Lee keeps the ball at your head. McGrath keeps you probing outside the off-stump so McGrath is definitely going to be a lot more action, a lot more tempting,” Lara said in a post-match interview after the second Test.

“I think McGrath-Lara is definitely more decisive. Brett Lee bowls very, very fast so be it, you have to face those guys and you got to be able to handle it. It is Test cricket,” Lara reasoned after his epic encounter with the lightning Lee.

Lara had to use his rapid reflexes and eagle-like eye-sight to evade a series of lethal bouncers and avoid decapitation during a venomous seven-over burst from Lee as he remained scoreless for 23 balls on 94 before reaching his first century at Queen’s Park Oval on Wednesday.

But the double world record holder, who has scored eight of his 20 Test centuries off Australian bowlers, says he welcomes the presence of McGrath in the Caribbean.

“I saw him (McGrath) in the dressing room so that means he is in the West Indies. It is nice to see him coming into the series at some point in time. He is here and I am happy to know that his wife is fine,” Lara said.

McGrath missed the first two Tests, which Australia won to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the four-match series after returning home from London to be with his sick wife.

He has taken 94 wickets in 18 Tests against the West Indies at a miserly 17.96 runs apiece, claiming the wicket of Lara several times.

Australia’s captain Steve Waugh is also happy to have McGrath available for the final two Tests in Barbados, May 1-5 and Antigua, May 9-13.