When asked to pick his toughest opponent in his 13-year-old career, McGrath picked Lara ahead of Tendulkar and said he was always driven to give his best when bowling against those two.

"To me it was always about how you went against the guys who were classed the best in the world," McGrath said here on Sunday after announcing he would quit international cricket after the World Cup in April next.

"I feel, personally, that on his day Brian Lara was probably the guy who was the standout, just slightly ahead of Sachin." Interestingly, McGrath has dismissed Lara 15 times in Tests, just four less than his biggest 'bunny' Michael Atherton whom he claimed 19 times. He dismissed Tendulkar six times.

The most successful fast bowler in Tests with 555 scalps, McGrath said his mental strength was his greatest asset.

"I feel what I actually did with the ball and the skill level -- there's a lot of other guys out there who had more skills to swing the ball, do well with the ball.

"My strengths were my accuracy, hitting that same spot, the bounce I'd get and the mental side of the game."