Despite 563 Test wickets and 124 Test matches in the baggy green cap, Glen McGrath remains humble about his achievements.
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Hundreds of people, including NSW premier Nathan Rees and Dubbo MP Dawn Fardell turned out to Narromine’s Tom Perry Park on Saturday morning to honour the cricketing legend and witness the unveiling of his commemorative statue.
The statue was designed by local artist Brett Garling who was also present at the unveiling. McGrath was flattered to have his achievements recognised by his hometown.
“To be honest it hasn’t sunk in yet,” he said.
“I’m very lucky that I was able to do something I loved for 14 years.”
“It is very humbling, I’m not sure if I deserve it.”
Premier Rees spoke with a sense of pride about both Narromine and the New South Welshman’s achievements.
“Narromine really are punching above their weight on the sporting front,” he said.
“The records Glen has achieved speak for themselves.”
“But Glen has not only contributed to cricket but to the broader cause of breast cancer, it really is another thing to combine his cricket with a humanitarian cause.”
Dressed in a black suit with a pink tie, McGrath continues to promote the McGrath foundation that he established with his late wife Jane who he lost to cancer in 2008.
“A lot of other people do great stuff.”
The NSW Government provided $33,000 to put towards the cost of the statue.
“The community was behind this project right from the start,” Mr Rees said.
“They raised most of the money themselves, and to top it off I am proud to present a contribution from the NSW Government.”
It seems that McGrath no longer keeps the off-field antics of current players at the forefront of his mind.
“I don’t know much about what happened (with Andew Symonds), but obviously something has,” he said.
“I do feel sorry for Symo he is going through a tough time at the moment.
“I’m sure Cricket Australia made a fair decision,” he said.
McGrath made himself available to fans signing cricketing merchandise and stopping for a chat with some of the locals from his home town.
“I’m proud to call myself a Narromine boy,” he said.
“I used to catch the bus into school from the farm.
“I was involved in all sports not just cricket.”
McGrath said he hoped the statue could inspire others in the community to play cricket and to follow their dreams.
lucy.rowles@ruralpress.com
