Brisbane, November 20:

Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath figures he could be a 40-something before he retires.

The 36-year-old McGrath, leading Australia into the Ashes series against England which begins on Thursday in Brisbane, said that improved training techniques and technology could enable Test bowlers to play into their mid-40s.

He dismissed comments from former Australian fast bowler Geoff Lawson that McGrath would soon retire. “He (Lawson) also said that the only reason we play is for the money. To me that means he doesn’t know anything about why we are playing the game,” said McGrath. “I play Tests because I love the game. To me the team should be picked on performance.”

McGrath has not played a Test since January while he helped his wife, Jane, battle a recurrence of cancer.

“I don’t remember feeling this fresh my whole career. Because I am 36 should I give the game away even though I am feeling better than I ever have?” McGrath said. “Playing at 36 is just a natural progression for the way cricket is going. With technology and the way we train and prepare, who knows in another 10 or 15 years guys could be playing at 45, 46.”