For more than a decade, Glenn McGrath terrorised batsmen with metronomic accuracy and a willowy action that made him one of cricket’s great fast bowlers. But the story of the man behind 563 Test wickets is also one of profound personal loss, a second chance at love, and a quiet life far from the floodlights.

Test wickets: 563 · ODI wickets: 381 · Years active: 1993–2007 · Spouses: Jane McGrath (d. 2008), Sara McGrath (m. 2010) · Children: 3 (two with Jane, one with Sara) · Foundation: McGrath Foundation (est. 2008)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • 563 Test and 381 ODI wickets, second-most Test wickets by a pace bowler (ESPNcricinfo)
  • Lives in the Noosa Hinterland, Sunshine Coast, Queensland with wife Sara (Homes To Love)
  • Co‑founded the McGrath Foundation, which funds breast‑care nurses across Australia (McGrath Foundation official site)
  • ABC Sport ended his commentary role in November 2025 due to ties with a betting company (ABC News Australia)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact nature of future regular media roles after the ABC departure
  • Specific address and property details of his Queensland home (only the region is public)
  • Precise ages and current occupations of his older children, who lead private lives
3Timeline signal
  • 1970 – Born in Dubbo, NSW
  • 1993 – Test debut vs NZ
  • 2007 – Retires from international cricket
  • 2008 – Jane dies; Foundation starts
  • 2010 – Marries Sara
  • 2015 – Daughter Madison born
  • 2025 – ABC commentary role ends over gambling link
4What’s next
  • Continuing as President of the McGrath Foundation
  • Corporate ambassador roles with Toyota, MIA Insurance, Sunboost
  • Possible return to commentary through other networks (unconfirmed)
Key facts about Glenn McGrath
Attribute Details
Full Name Glenn Donald McGrath
Born 9 February 1970, Dubbo, New South Wales
Batting Right-handed
Bowling Right-arm fast-medium
Test Wickets 563
ODI Wickets 381
First Wife Jane McGrath (m. 1999, died 2008)
Current Wife Sara McGrath (m. 2010)
Children Daughter (b. 1999), Son (b. 2001), Daughter Madison (b. 2015)

The table shows how McGrath’s personal milestones parallel his cricket achievements.

Where does Glenn McGrath live now?

After turning 50, Glenn and his wife Sara swapped the Sydney suburbs for a rural retreat. The couple now live in the Noosa Hinterland on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, a tree‑changing move that McGrath has described as a deliberate shift to a quieter pace of life (Homes To Love).

Before the move, the McGraths owned a five‑bedroom, four‑bathroom property in Sydney’s south, which he purchased in 2006 for $5,250,000 (Home Beautiful). That home was sold as part of their relocation north.

The trade-off

A move from a city where his sporting identity was forged to a regional haven gives the family more space and privacy, but it also distances him from the media networks where he built his post‑playing career.

The implication: McGrath’s life is increasingly centred on family and foundation work, not the commentary box.

Why did Glenn McGrath lose his job?

In November 2025, ABC Sport and Glenn McGrath parted ways after a relationship between McGrath and a betting company came to light. The national broadcaster, which has strict policies on gambling ties for its on‑air talent, ended the arrangement effective 18 November 2025 (ABC News Australia).

McGrath had been a regular cricket commentator for ABC since 2008, providing analysis across Tests, ODIs, and the Big Bash. He announced the news on social media, expressing disappointment but gratitude for his time with the broadcaster (ABC News Facebook post).

What to watch

McGrath reportedly returned for Ashes commentary in 2025 but through a different outlet, not ABC (Instagram speculation). If a permanent television or radio role emerges, it will test whether his value as a pundit outweighs the sponsorship controversy.

The pattern: a single sponsorship conflict ended a 17‑year relationship with a major public broadcaster, underscoring the tightening ethical lines around gambling in Australian sports media.

What does Glenn McGrath do now?

McGrath’s primary role today is President and co‑founder of the McGrath Foundation, which he launched with his late wife Jane in 2008. The charity funds breast‑care nurses in communities across Australia, and every year the Sydney Cricket Ground’s Pink Test raises millions for the cause (McGrath Foundation official site).

  • Corporate ambassador for Toyota Australia, MIA Insurance, and Sunboost (Toyota Australia ambassador page)
  • Occasional cricket commentary for international broadcasts
  • Public speaking and appearances at charity events

Why this matters: McGrath has successfully pivoted from on‑air talent to full‑time charity leader, a transition few retired athletes manage with such public visibility.

Is Glenn McGrath still married?

Yes. Glenn married Sara in 2010, two years after Jane’s death from breast cancer. The wedding was an intimate ceremony at their Cronulla home, followed by a religious service in Acireale, Sicily (The Australian Women’s Weekly).

Sara Leonardi‑McGrath is a cancer care nurse and, according to her Instagram bio, holds an Order of Australia honour (Sara McGrath Instagram profile). She frequently appears alongside Glenn at Foundation events and has spoken about raising a blended family. “Glenn is an incredible dad and husband. Our blended family works because we’re all committed to each other,” she told news.com.au.

The trade-off: Marrying the man who lost his first wife to the same disease she treats means Sara lives at the intersection of personal grief and professional duty — a dynamic that shapes their public life together.

How old are Glenn McGrath’s children?

Glenn has three children. With Jane he had a daughter (born 1999) and a son (born 2001). Both are now in their twenties and keep a low public profile (Yahoo Lifestyle Australia).

With Sara he has a daughter, Madison, born in 2015, which would make her about nine or ten as of 2025 (New Idea). Sara is stepmother to the older two, and the family also includes a son named James, though his birth year is not publicly confirmed (Facebook fan page).

The catch: With older children deliberately out of the spotlight and a young daughter in school, McGrath’s family life remains largely private — a rare achievement for a star of his stature.

Timeline of a life in cricket and beyond

  1. – Born in Dubbo, New South Wales
  2. – Test debut against New Zealand
  3. – Retires from international cricket after 563 Test wickets (ESPNcricinfo)
  4. – Jane McGrath dies of breast cancer; McGrath Foundation founded
  5. – Marries Sara
  6. – Daughter Madison born
  7. – ABC Sport ends commentary role over gambling sponsorship (ABC News Australia)

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • McGrath lives in the Noosa Hinterland with wife Sara and their daughter (Homes To Love)
  • ABC Sport ended his commentary role in Nov 2025 due to ties with a gambling company (ABC News Australia)
  • He is married to Sara and was previously married to Jane (multiple sources)
  • He has three children: two from his marriage to Jane and one (Madison) with Sara (New Idea)

What’s unclear

  • Exact nature of future regular media roles after ABC departure
  • Specific address or property details beyond general region
  • Exact ages and current lives of his two older children

“Jane’s legacy lives on through the McGrath Foundation, and I’m so proud of what we’ve built.”

– Glenn McGrath, speaking at the Pink Test (ABC Sport coverage)

“Glenn is an incredible dad and husband. Our blended family works because we’re all committed to each other.”

– Sara McGrath, in a joint interview with news.com.au

Related reading: Nick Riewoldt: Life After AFL in the US, Family & Charity · Greg Inglis: Career, Bipolar II Diagnosis & Life After Rugby

Additional sources

reddit.com, joincitro.com.au

For a more detailed look at Glenn McGraths current life, including his family and foundation work, check out this article.

Frequently asked questions

What is the McGrath Foundation, and what does it do?

The McGrath Foundation funds breast‑care nurses in communities across Australia, providing free support for families affected by breast cancer. It was founded by Glenn and Jane McGrath in 2008 (McGrath Foundation official site).

How many Test matches did Glenn McGrath play?

He played 124 Test matches for Australia between 1993 and 2007 (ESPNcricinfo).

What is a Pink Test?

The Pink Test is an annual cricket match held at the Sydney Cricket Ground during the third Test of the Australian summer, dedicated to raising funds for the McGrath Foundation. Players and fans wear pink, and the event is a major fundraising drive.

Is Glenn McGrath still involved in cricket commentary?

He no longer commentates for ABC Sport after parting ways in November 2025. He has reportedly contributed to other networks for major series like the Ashes, but no regular role has been announced (Instagram speculation).

What is Glenn McGrath’s net worth?

Exact figures are not public, but estimates from sports finance sites place it in the range of $20–$30 million, largely from his cricket career, ambassadorial roles, and property investments.

Has Glenn McGrath been inducted into any Hall of Fame?

Yes, he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2014 (ICC Hall of Fame).

Does Glenn McGrath run any cricket coaching camps?

He occasionally participates in charity coaching clinics and has been involved in the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai, but does not run regular commercial camps.

For the Australian public and the charity sector, Glenn McGrath’s transition from elite athlete to full‑time foundation president and family man is a blueprint for life after sport. His next decision — whether to return to regular media work after the ABC split, or to focus entirely on the Foundation — will define whether he remains a fixture in the commentary box or becomes a full‑time advocate. For the McGrath Foundation, the choice is clear: lean into the Pink Test momentum, or diversify fundraising before the next controversy erodes public goodwill.