Tahlia McGrath opens up on leadership role ahead of Australia’s India tour

Tahlia McGrath. (Photo source: Getty Images)

Tahlia McGrath was appointed as the vice-captain of the Australian team after Meg Lanning decided to retire from international cricket. She led the national team during the T20I series in India in 2022 and has been part of the leadership group for quite some time now. However, opening up about her new role in the team, the 28-year-old mentioned that leadership was never on her mind but things changed after a mentor programme with Belinda Clarke.

The all-rounder added that she massively progressed as a captain in the last couple of years. McGrath mentioned that a few coaches saw a lot of potential in him and that gave her confidence in leading teams in both international and franchise cricket.

“If you had asked me a few years ago, if I had leadership in my radar, it was not even close. I was the shy, quiet one that didn’t really have too much to say. A few coaches saw some qualities in myself that I perhaps didn’t. From there I got a few opportunities to lead sides. I was really lucky to have a mentor programme with Belinda Clark and got so much out of that. How my leadership has come along in the last two years is rapid progression,” McGrath was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

“What I offer as a leader is a really calm person. No matter what the situation is I keep a pretty calm head and a pretty good read of the game. I am a relationships person – getting around and connecting with different people in the group and making sure everyone’s connected and making sure we are all tracking alright,” she added.

Biggest strength of this Australian side is that there are multiple leaders in the group: McGrath

Ahead of Australia’s much-awaited one-off Test against India, McGrath stated that there are multiple leaders in the dressing room who can speak up when something is needed. She revealed that the leadership role is divided within the team and hence, the entire responsibility does not fall on them.

“The biggest strength of this Australian side is that it is not just Midge and I that are leaders. There are so many leaders in the group, people that speak up when something needs to be said. People that take one for the team and lead that fielding (effort). We are spoilt for choices that it doesn’t solely fall on us with so many people with leadership roles within the team,” McGrath said.