Mum, runs, perspective: McGrath's year of wonders

Before she left for Australia's white-ball tour of New Zealand last March, Tahlia McGrath made a deal with her mum, Linda.

"You're not allowed to lie to me if I ask you how you're going," McGrath told her. "You've gotta tell me exactly how you're going – even if it's not great."

Linda was a long way from great.

In January, a routine mammogram detected a lump that required further tests. Tahlia describes the days that followed as an anxious waiting game within the McGrath house. Unanswered questions hung heavily in the air: Was it cancerous? And if so: What was the size? The severity?

"And then I remember her coming home and telling us," the 26-year-old says. "It hit pretty hard. I mean, you go from one day everything being normal, to something just totally flipping like that."

Linda's breast cancer diagnosis came as a jolt to the McGraths, a tight-knit Adelaide family also consisting of dad Barry, and Tahlia's siblings, Kayla and Josh. There was shock, and tears, and stiff upper lips, and then Linda went in for surgery. 

"I think if you ask anyone in cricket, no-one's seen me cry," McGrath says. "But anything to do with family, I'm pretty emotional, and it was certainly an emotional time.

"There was a period there where it was quite difficult, and I was crying every day."

Image Id: 2F010D29067941E68919F87D76FEFF52 Image Caption: The McGraths are a tight-knit Adelaide family // supplied

After surgery, Linda underwent chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which then led to sickness and hair loss. It was around that time, and with the encouragement of her family, that Tahlia decided to fly across the Tasman with the national squad for a T20I and ODI series against the White Ferns.

"I remember being in New Zealand when she was going through her worst bit of chemo," she says. "I found it hard being away from her when she was going through that rough patch.

"I spoke to her most nights. The way she would speak about it, you could tell she was struggling but she'd make it seem like she was OK, just so I was alright.

"Just the way she was chatting to me, she was like, 'You know, I'm fine – you keep going, keep playing your cricket'."

While she was away, McGrath didn't feel ready to receive photos from Linda. She wanted to visualise her mum as she always had, and so the thought of seeing her hair loss was too much to bear; the stripping away of a part of her mum that had always just been was too stark a representation of a reality she was still computing.

When she returned home, she wrapped her arms around her tightly.

"I came back and (her hair) was basically all gone, in the space of a month," McGrath says. "That was pretty confronting."

In the time-honoured tradition of mums around the world, Linda somehow willed herself to be an exemplar of positivity and strength amid her shared adversity. It was an attitude that rubbed off on her family. As she continued to work, carrying on with life in the only way she knew how, so too did McGrath, who began exploring new means of achieving the same cricketing goal she has always harboured: securing a place in Australia's best Test, ODI and T20I XIs.

And this time, she wanted to stay there.

* * *

While seismic events were happening in McGrath's personal life through 2021, her professional world was quietly building towards a crescendo as well.

It was a confluence of factors – some forced, some fate – that led to her player-of-the-series performances for Australia against India last September-October, followed by her finest WBBL tournament to date, during which she captained Adelaide Strikers to the final.

McGrath had previously scaled some impressive highs in the game. Four years earlier, a day before her 22nd birthday, she had made her Test debut, going on to score 47 and take three wickets.

Image Id: CDCB38FBCC4E46E3B63F7D9D5E20BBDC Image Caption: McGrath with her parents, Barry and Linda, during her 2017 Test debut // supplied

A handful of ODIs followed in the intervening years, however two back injuries and subsequent stints of rehab interrupted her ambition and dented her self-belief at the bowling crease.

But by the 2021 off-season, those potholes had all been navigated. McGrath returned home from New Zealand, where she didn't play in any of the six matches, and considered her status quo. She had landed in that liminal space where many very good cricketers have found themselves; a frustrated onlooker as a national squad member, essentially within touching distance of her dream.

At 25, it was one small step – or one giant leap – short of where she wanted to be. It was exciting and frustrating, tantalising and tormenting, all at the same time. This was a player who had been compared to Ellyse Perry since her late teens. Many good judges viewed her as one of world cricket's brightest prospects. But McGrath knew she needed to believe it, too. And so instead of sitting on her hands and hoping something might happen, she set about finding ways to take that next step.

Part one of that process came at South Australia, where she built a relationship with mindset performance coach David Steventon, who had conducted some group sessions with the Scorpions that McGrath found beneficial. She then took it upon herself to link up with him one-on-one, and he has since become a regular part of her support network. 

"He knows me, and he knows the way I approach cricket really well," she says. "A lot of it has been working on my processes … a bit of breathing technique work; say I've faced a couple of dot balls, or if I'm feeling like the bowlers are on top of me, I just take a step away and get my breathing going, and go from there.

"We've done some visualisation stuff, too … it sounds really funny saying it, and I didn't believe in it when we first started talking about it, I was like, 'I'm not doing that', but it's literally two minutes before I go to bed, just shutting my eyes, and visualising how a certain moment in the game is going to pan out, or going back to an innings where I felt really good, what it felt like and all that sort of thing."

McGrath's proactiveness quickly led to another critical moment, when she decided to throw herself fully into a leadership program with the legendary Belinda Clark. Previously, it might have been something she'd have baulked at, and ultimately shied away from. This time, she said yes.

In the first of many Zoom meetings, she sat down with Clark, the 134-time Australia rep and one of the country's most influential cricket figures, and established some goals for the program.

It immediately became clear that Clark was an ideal mentor for McGrath; together with her learned cricketing wisdom, she is also confident and direct, and it was those traits they wanted to focus on with McGrath.

"We identified that for me, one of the main things (to work on) was coming out of my shell," McGrath says. "That and communication were probably the two biggest things.

"So we tailored the program towards that, and a lot of my homework tasks revolved around those key ideas."

Adds Clark: "She was really keen to make sure she could communicate clearly, that she could have tough conversations, that she could express herself."

It was an important process. Too many times in the past, McGrath had needed to be convinced of her ability, while her reserved and unassuming nature typically meant she was content to go with the flow in a group dynamic, unwilling to ruffle feathers.

But Clark saw leadership potential bubbling away just below that placid exterior. She also knew from experience that increased confidence and assertiveness would aid the development of McGrath's cricket more broadly. And so the two women workshopped ways for her to put their conversations and ideas into practice.

"There's been a lot of tasks set where I've been like, 'Ah, not sure about that one, it's a bit out of my comfort zone'," McGrath explains. "And then (Clark) laughs every time I say, 'I was absolutely dreading that, but when I did it, it wasn't as bad as I thought'.

"Once you do a couple of those things, it gives you confidence to do them again."

McGrath started running some meetings at South Australia, and forced herself to have more upfront conversations with teammates and coaches. When she was selected in the Australia squad to take on India last August, she and Clark noted a young and inexperienced bowling group and decided she could play a role there, too, simply by making those newcomers feel welcome.

For someone who was still uncertain of her own standing in the group, and whose natural inclination leans towards introversion, it was a difficult – but ultimately rewarding – step to take.

"She went out of her way, and out of her comfort zone, to do that," Clark says. "Because if you feel like, Do I belong, or don't I? then that's not easy.

"But she looked at it like, 'Well, actually, I know what it feels like to be new into this team, and I'm going to make an effort to help people come in and integrate'. That's a sign of her maturity.

"She's also got some terrific role models in that team, but the temptation can be to sit back and let those people go, and just be: 'Well, I'll just play my part, which is at the back of the bus, doing just my bit'.

"But that doesn't work. Leaders need to be encouraging others to step in, and I think Tahlia was ready to step forward into that bigger role."

It was all part of a wider approach designed to coax the best out of the South Australian, and as McGrath notes, there were others in high places already on the same page as Clark.

"When you're new to the Aussie set up, it's crazy to see how much self-belief (the players) have," she explains. "They just know they can get the job done. And then when you become a part of that … the way that 'Motty' (coach Matthew Mott) and Meg (Lanning, captain) put belief in everyone in the team … it's sort of contagious, and you start feeling that way as well.

"It's a pretty special environment they've created, and one that I'm loving being a part of."

Image Id: DFA1D47A004B489BA5D76C129CD8B1F6 Image Caption: McGrath says the Aussie environment created by the likes of skipper Meg Lanning is a special one // Getty

As McGrath began to believe she was a valued part of the Australia set-up, her confidence grew. With that, came results. In Australia's second ODI against India in Mackay, she produced a long-awaited breakthrough performance. After taking 3-45 with a skilled blend of swing and variation, McGrath came to the middle with her team 4-52 chasing 275, and their world record streak of 25 straight wins under threat.

With the reassuring presence of Beth Mooney at the other end, she set about compiling a mature 74, showcasing her shot-making prowess in a 126-run stand that righted the ship for Australia.

It was an innings that steeled her with the sort of self-belief that only achieving can. Scores of 47 and 28 followed in her next two innings, and then came a pair of match-winning knocks in what was her maiden T20I series.

Afterward, once the phone calls and messages of congratulations died down and her new mock nickname of 'PoS' (Player of the Series) in the Strikers camp began to wear thin, McGrath again considered her status quo. This time, it made for a more pleasing assessment.

"Where does self-belief come from?" Clark poses. "It comes really from thinking that you can do something, and then that gets reinforced by doing it, and having some success.

"I think Tahlia, the age she was, the experiences she'd had, she was just cherry ripe (for that India series).

"She's a super talented cricketer, so for us (there were conversations) about, 'How do you take all the handbrakes off, and just go for it? What is holding you back?' and, 'If you're not ready now, when do you think you're going to be ready?'

"I now understand why she's a great cricketer: it's because she's actually willing to try stuff – to have a go and to put herself out there."

* * *

Nine days after her series-winning efforts on the Gold Coast, McGrath was at it again. She launched into the WBBL for Adelaide by top-scoring with 42 from 34 balls against Sydney Thunder, before handing herself the new ball in the absence of Megan Schutt and promptly removing three of their top five batters. Four days later, her game-winning 50no from 39 balls meant she had received the player-of-the-match award in four straight T20s.

Clark watched McGrath closely during the Strikers' run to the final and witnessed her grow as a leader, through her welcoming of responsibility in different forms, and her willingness to learn from others.

"Bit by bit she was getting more confident – you could see it in her body language on the field," she says. "She took responsibility with the bat to close out some games, and her numbers for the season were impressive (for the first time she achieved the 300-run, 10-wicket double, and was one of only two players to manage that in WBBL|07).

"The (captaincy) opportunity came at a beautiful time for her. (Speaking with her) it was like, 'OK, we can take this with both hands, and you just go for it. Or you can sit in your shell and feel like you're just warming the seat for someone else. What do you want to do?'

"And that was then a personal decision to say, 'All right, I actually want to have a go at doing it the best I can do it, in my way'.

Image Id: 7AF61C14099B4E7BA9279A697B273C07 Image Caption: McGrath led the Strikers impressively in her maiden campaign as captain // Getty

"She had some leaders in that team as well … internationals who are very experienced and sometimes captains of their country. (We spoke about) 'How do you ask them questions? How do you get into their minds around: What are you seeing here? How do you go about things?' She did that really well."

Pondering her rapid evolution, McGrath deflects credit to a host of names. One of those is her Strikers and Australia teammate Schutt, who has helped develop her bowling, both technically and tactically. Then there are Strikers coaches Luke Williams and Jude Coleman, while in the Australia set-up, she has soaked up information from whomever she can, though she cites Perry as another particularly helpful bowling ally.

"She's surrounded by good people, but that doesn't mean you're going to learn – you have to be willing to actually have a go and be prepared to fail, and put yourself out there amongst your peers," Clark says.

"Sometimes that can be daunting, but I've been really impressed with the way she's had a go at it. As a result, she's had some wins, and that's where the confidence has come from."

It has also stemmed from Clark being in her corner. 

"I've joked that I need to start recording all our Zoom calls, because she just hits me with that much inspiration, and makes everything so simple," McGrath says.

"But her advice is all about backing your instinct and just going with it. Whether that's on field, off field, leadership – it's just backing your own ability.

"And when she says it, it sounds pretty inspirational."

* * *

McGrath's achievements across those two-and-a-bit months of cricket last spring were all the more remarkable given all she was going through off the field.

Linda had planned to be on the Gold Coast for the Test leg of the multi-format series; the thought of watching her daughter again don the Baggy Green had been a strong motivator as she fought her cancer battle. While the pandemic put paid to those plans, Tahlia's "biggest fan" was able to watch from afar as the allrounder returned to the Test side on the back of her standout ODI performances.

As they confronted their respective challenges, McGrath not only drew from her mum's strength, but heeded a lesson she has since taken to heart. In finding a way to separate the personal from the professional, a view of the bigger picture crystallised in her mind. It also helped, as Clark put it, release the handbrake.

"I think I'm quite good at – no matter what's going on – when I'm on the cricket field, I'm completely focused," she says. "But at the same time, (her mum's illness has) certainly changed my perspective on things, and it's made me more relaxed, and made me enjoy my cricket a lot more.

"Like, why did I get so caught up on getting a duck, or losing a game of cricket? It's just a game of cricket. There are so many bigger things going on in the world.

"So everything that's happened with Mum, it's put things into perspective and helped my cricket, just in the way I think about it … not putting as much pressure on myself, and enjoying it for a game, because yeah, there's plenty of bigger things in life."

Image Id: D6BFFBF6A90E46B88C177BA5A0AC9CB5 Image Caption: McGrath won back her Test spot on the back of standout ODI performances // Getty

McGrath is sure to look back on the past year as seminal both in cricket and life. She heads into the Ashes with a new outlook based on her experiences in both; not only has she broadened her perspective, she has also opened herself up to trying new things, and found a level of self-belief that had been so elusive for so long.

"If you'd told me a couple of years ago I'd be doing visualisation and breathing exercises, I'd have laughed at you," she reflects. "I'm at a point in my career now, and I've matured a bit, that I'll give anything like that a go.

"And there's a massive difference to where I was at the beginning of the Indian series to where I am now, and most of it just comes down to confidence.

"I'm a lot more confident now as a cricketer, on field and off field. I've had quite a few people say to me they've seen a difference in just the way I carry myself off field and the way I captain, they said it's quite a noticeable change.

"Before (playing India) a lot of (my mentality) was just trying to get back into that XI. And now, it's still that as well, but it's also more specific on my role, and how I can contribute to the team. It's a nice place to be in."

As Australia braces itself for an Ashes, ODI World Cup and Commonwealth Games year, McGrath has positioned herself as a key cog in team plans. She is targeting trophies on all three fronts as well as with the Strikers, the sky now seemingly no limit for a player who looks to be approaching her peak years.

"I'm pretty excited about what's coming up in the next few years, and pretty excited about where my cricket's at, at the moment," she says. "Hopefully it's the start of a busy and successful period."

As fate would have it, the T20I leg that kicks off this multi-format Ashes happens to be in McGrath's hometown. Sitting in the stands at Adelaide Oval on Thursday will be her family, including Linda, whose current health status gives this tale an especially happy ending.

Image Id: B989FC5DCC2D475BAF11761A765CF345 Image Caption: Tahlia and Linda at Port Elliot, SA // supplied

"She's doing outstanding," McGrath says. "She's still obviously coping with some of the side effects from all the treatments and everything, so she has her good days and bad days, but she's been amazing.

"I'm loving having her back out watching some of my cricket games, and she continues to blow my mind with how well she's doing. She's a superstar."

So too, increasingly, is her daughter. But as McGrath's profile grows alongside her achievements, she feels comfortable she will be able to retain that newfound sense of perspective. In fact, there is a tangible reminder right there in front of her.

"Mum's getting a pretty thick head of hair again now," she smiles, "and she loves it when I come up and just run my hands through it.

"She's well and truly on her way back."

Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes v England

Australia Ashes squad: Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Hannah Darlington, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes (vc), Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Meg Lanning (c), Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck

England Ashes squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver (vc), Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt

Jan 20: First T20, Adelaide Oval

Jan 22: Second T20, Adelaide Oval

Jan 23: Third T20, Adelaide Oval

Jan 27-30: Test match, Manuka Oval

Feb 3: First ODI, Manuka Oval

Feb 6: Second ODI, Junction Oval

Feb 8: Third ODI, Junction Oval

Australia A v England A

Australia A squad: Georgia Redmayne (c), Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Stella Campbell, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Heather Graham, Grace Harris, Phoebe Litchfield, Katie Mack, Courtney Sippel, Molly Strano, Elyse Villani, Georgia Voll, Courtney Webb, Amanda-Jade Wellington

England A squad: Emily Arlott, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Alice Davidson-Richards, Georgia Elwiss, Kirstie Gordon, Eve Jones, Beth Langston, Emma Lamb, Bryony Smith, Ellie Threlkeld, Issy Wong

Jan 20: First T20, Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide

Jan 21: Second T20, Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide

Jan 23: Third T20, Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide

Jan 28: First OD, Philip Oval, Canberra

Jan 30: Second OD, Philip Oval, Canberra

Feb 2: Third OD, Philip Oval, Canberra