Australia's Glenn McGrath ... another record for the retiring great. - Reuters

GROS ISLET, St. Lucia (AP):

AUSTRALIAN FAST bowler Glenn McGrath became the leading wicket taker in a single Cricket World Cup after taking three dismissals on Wednesday, in the crushing seven-wicket semi-final victory over South Africa.

The 37-year-old McGrath, who will retire at the end of the tournament, passed Sri Lankan seamer Chaminda Vaas' record of 23 when he took the second of his three wickets.

Despite his success in the Caribbean, McGrath insisted Wednesday he was still retiring after tomorrow's final, as he had announced in advance.

McGrath's total of 25 wickets at this tournament have come at an average of 13.04 runs each from 10 games. Vaas had set the record at the 2003 tournament in South Africa.

McGrath took three for 18 off eight overs at the Beausejour Stadium, playing a crucial role in dismissing South Africa for 149 and reserving Australia's place in the final against Sri Lanka in Barbados.

"I always love playing South Africa, they're up for a good battle. They are quite an aggressive side," McGrath said.

"There's just one side I enjoy less losing against than South Africa," he said in a clear reference to traditional enemy England.

McGrath retired from Test cricket earlier this year by taking the last England wicket of a triumphant 5-0 sweep that saw Australia reclaim the Ashes they lost two years earlier in England.

The tall New South Wales bowler has now taken 70 wickets in World Cups since 1996. He is 15 ahead of retired Pakistani quick Wasim Akram.

Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who will meet McGrath in the final, briefly overtook McGrath on Tuesday with four wickets in the victory over New Zealand.

Simple routine

On Wednesday, McGrath stuck to the simple routine that has madehim one of the world's leading bowlers since he made his debut for Australia in 1993, finding perfect line and length in the batsmen's 'corridor of uncertainty' outside off stump.

Ashwell Prince was out for a duck to McGrath without scoring, driving at a wide delivery and Mark Boucher fell next ball, caught at slip by Matthew Hayden.

McGrath agreed to stay on to help Australia's bid to win an unprecedented third successive World Cup and said the legacy of Australian pace bowling was safe.

"We have plenty of fast bowling options. Look at the four bowlers here, we have different kinds of bowlers who complement each other," he said.

"There are others following in my boots."

McGrath said batsmen seemed to be anxious to face him rather than the others.

"With (Nathan) Bracken and (Shaun) Tait bowling the way they are, I normally come on with couple of wickets down. The way these two have bowled, it seems the batsmen prefer to get to the other end to face me."