Former Australia pacer Glenn McGrath may not have played competitive cricket since last year's Indian Premier League but feels that it would not be an issue when he puts on his boots for the tournament's second season which kicks off in South Africa on April 18.
McGrath, who plays for the Delhi Daredevils, has been largely busy bringing up his three children following wife Jane's death. He also has to take care of the charity organisation founded by his wife but will put everything to the back burner for five gruelling weeks of IPL action.
However, despite his 39 years, McGrath, who emerged the most economical (6.61) of Delhi Daredevils bowlers, claims his competitive edge is still intact.
"I struggled a bit last year, but that was more about Jane and how the situation was back home," McGrath said.
"That won't be a concern this time. Mum may bring the kids over for the middle period, depending on the schedule. My whole focus will be a lot different when I'm there, which I think will all be positive. Last time I think I did reasonably well considering I hadn't played for 12 months. I have no doubts it will be similar this time, but my mindset will be different," he told 'Cricinfo'.
The Australian legend admitted he could not say no to the IPL with the amount of money on offer.
"There is a lot of incentive going over there with the money they're offering. Cricket is not something that I have a great desire to get back and play at the moment. I'm very happy being retired and with everything that I achieved in my life. In saying that, as soon as I got on the field in India (in 2008), I couldn't help being competitive. My natural instincts came out and I was away. That won't be an issue," said McGrath.
"Last year I did a heap of fitness work leading into it, and when I bowled in the nets for half a session I felt like I hadn't ever been away from the game. When I played that Twenty20 match earlier on in the year for NSW, and I hadn't done any work leading into it, it felt like I had never bowled before in my life.
"So basically if I'm fit my bowling will come back really quickly, and if I'm not fit I'm useless," said McGrath, who will be in Delhi his week for the Daredevils' week-long training camp before leaving for South Africa on April 7.
