“I had just come off a game for Prime Minister’s Eleven in Darwin and bowled really badly. I told Justin then that I wanted to quit Test cricket,” revealed McGrath who would be playing his 100^th Test in Nagpur when India take on Australia in the third Test here tomorrow.

“I was really in no shape then—but I am feeling as good as I have ever now and want to make a real contribution in this Test for my team,” said McGrath.

Australia is 1-0 up in the 4-Test series and a win here would clinch them their first series win on Indian soil in 35 years.

Even a draw here would ensure they don’t go back from India as a beaten team—a fate which has befallen three of their previous teams in 1996, 1998 and 2001. McGrath said he had been proud of his longevity and effectiveness in Test cricket and would like to end with at least 500 Test wickets in his career.

“I am really proud to have lasted 100 Tests. Not many fast bowlers have done it.”