In the greater scheme of things, Glenn McGrath's three not out off two balls in the World Cup match against New Zealand on Tuesday may not stand out.

It was not a "I was there" sort of innings, but for the Australia quick bowler, it ended a seven-year wait to break his tournament batting duck.

The 33-year-old McGrath, nicknamed 'Pigeon', confidently flicked a Jacob Oram delivery to leg for his first run and stole a second on the overthrow in Tuesday's Super Six match. He then squeezed the next ball to fine leg to finish on three not out.

Never mind that fellow quick bowler Andy Bichel managed 64 and that Brett Lee, completing Australia's triumvirate of pacemen, hit the last two balls of the innings for six.

For McGrath, his 25th World Cup game will remain special.

He made his tournament debut in 1996 against Kenya. Australia's one-day expertise is such that Tuesday was only the fourth time he had managed to pad up and get to the crease.

His previous three innings read nought not out (he did not face a ball that day in 1996, against India in Bombay), nought (bowled second ball by Wasim Akram in 1999 at Leeds) and nought not out (off one ball, in the 1999 tied semi-final against South Africa at Edgbaston).

McGrath is much more prolific outside World Cups. He averages almost four in 176 one-dayers overall and has scored 6.43 per visit in 91 Tests.