McGrath gets sponsor's cash for batting heroics

Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath has cashed in on his Test career batting high-point with a sponsor's cheque as reward for his maiden half-ton last week.

Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath has cashed in on his Test career batting high-point with a sponsor's cheque as reward for his maiden half-century against New Zealand.

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McGrath's 61 in Australia's first innings of the first Gabba Test last week was the highest ever by an Australian no. 11.

He featured in a 114-run last-wicket stand with fellow fast bowler Jason Gillespie, who remained unbeaten on 54 in Australia's first innings of 585.

McGrath's crowd-pleasing knock surpassed the previous best by an Australian No. 11 — 52 by Rodney Hogg against the West Indies in Georgetown in 1983-1984.

McGrath was on Thursday presented with a $7,700 cheque from bat sponsor Sommers for an incentive in his contract rewarding him for a maiden Test half-century.

"I think they thought it was a pretty safe bet," McGrath said of the incentive.

"I think I will have to renegotiate a new incentive in my contract for a Test 100. But I don't think they will worry about that (happening)."

The much-publicised knock also earned the batting bunny a further 6,100 dollars for the McGrath Breast Cancer Foundation.