McGrath slams 'rubbish' CA 'rest-and-rotation' policy for making Oz bowlers 'soft'

Australian Test bowler Glenn McGrath has slammed Cricket Australia's 'rest and rotation' policy and has branded it 'rubbish', saying that the policy is adversely affecting the performance of the team's bowlers.

Australia's Test fast bowlers, including Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus, will miss the final round of Sheffield Shield matches and go into camp a week before the first Test begins at the Gabba.

However, News.com.au reports that the legendary pacer, who took 563 wickets in 124 and once played 53 Tests in a row, fears that Australia's culture of producing quality pacemen is in danger of going soft due to the policy, which is limiting the bowlers from bowling enough as compared to the past.

Stating that the team has not yet reached the 'happy medium' about not bowling enough and over-bowling, McGrath further said that the policy has gone too far by wrapping players unnecessarily in cotton wool.

McGrath insisted that individual bowlers should have a say on whether or not they want to be rested, adding that bowlers need to get overs under the belt to get up to the level they want at the start of the season.

McGrath also said that even after bowling 20 to 25 overs in a day, he would expect the bowler to be able to front up the next day and do the same, adding that this is what Test cricket is all about.