21 April 2005	Thursday	11 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1426

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LONDON, April 20: England one-day specialist pace bowler Kabir Ali said on Wednesday he was hoping to add to his one Test appearance for his country this summer and against his former Worcestershire team-mate Australian bowling legend Glenn McGrath.

The 24-year-old told The Independent that McGrath had been very helpful in passing on advice to his younger team-mate.

“The main thing he said to me was: ‘Just keep it simple. Bowl a good line and length and you’ll pick up wickets.’ I’d love to play against him this summer.”

Ali, who has three cousins on the books of county championship sides, admitted he was in awe of the Australian paceman, who is set to reach the magical 500 wicket mark in the forthcoming Ashes series as he enters it on 499.

“The first game I saw him he conceded about eight runs from his first nine overs and picked up a wicket.

“I just thought: ‘What is this guy made of?’ He’s a great professional. He works very hard.”

If Ali is picked for the Tests rather than just the one-dayers he faces a stiff task to help England regain the Ashes.

Australia have not lost a Test series against England since 1986-87 and have won the last four series in England since 1989 — 15 Test victories to four losses with four drawn.—AFP