Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath, one of the greatest seamers in cricket history, is popularly known by which nickname?

Introduction / Context:

Many famous cricketers are known by distinctive nicknames that fans and commentators use regularly. Remembering these nicknames is a common requirement in sports related general knowledge. Glenn McGrath, a legendary Australian fast bowler, also has a widely used nickname. This question asks you to identify that nickname from among several options.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The cricketer in question is Glenn McGrath from Australia.
• He is a former fast bowler known for accuracy and consistency.
• We are asked to choose his commonly used nickname.
• Options include Ooh Ahh, Penguin, Big Bird, Pigeon and Gator.

Concept / Approach:

Glenn McGrath is popularly nicknamed ‘‘Pigeon’’ by his teammates and fans. The nickname supposedly came from his slim build and somewhat pigeon like gait early in his career. While chants such as ‘‘Ooh Ahh Glenn McGrath’’ were used by crowds, that phrase is more of a chant than a formal nickname. Big Bird is associated with West Indian fast bowler Joel Garner, and other options such as Penguin or Gator are not standard nicknames for McGrath. Recognising Pigeon as his famous nickname allows you to select the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Cricket biographies, interviews and commentary archives frequently refer to Glenn McGrath as Pigeon. Teammates and media reports use this nickname consistently throughout his career. The phrase ‘‘Ooh Ahh Glenn McGrath’’ appears in stadium chants but is not his formal nickname. Big Bird is repeatedly associated with Joel Garner, confirming that Pigeon is uniquely linked with McGrath.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Option A (Ooh Ahh): This is part of a chant fans used for McGrath, not the nickname itself.

Option B (Penguin): There is no established record of Glenn McGrath being called Penguin.

Option C (Big Bird): This nickname belongs to West Indian fast bowler Joel Garner, not McGrath.

Option E (Gator): This is not a recognised nickname for McGrath in cricket literature or commentary.

Common Pitfalls:

Students may be tempted by Ooh Ahh because it sounds familiar from crowd chants, but the question specifically asks for the nickname, not a chant. Another common error is mixing up nicknames of different fast bowlers, such as Big Bird for Garner and Pigeon for McGrath. Creating a mental map that pairs bowlers with their correct nicknames is a useful revision method: for example, Pigeon for McGrath, Rawalpindi Express for Shoaib Akhtar and Big Bird for Joel Garner.

Final Answer:

Glenn McGrath is popularly known by the nickname Pigeon.