Born in country New South Wales, McGrath was picked for his state team in the 1992/93 season, and by the next Australian summer was in the national side. Not the quickest bowler, even at the start of his career, he instead relies on unerring accuracy, and the ability to make the ball seam a little "off the pitch". He can also generate steep bounce using a high arm action and the advantage of a 198 cm (6'6") frame.
McGrath has had success against every opposition team, in both test and one-day cricket. He deliberately (and publicly) targets the opposition's best batsmen; at the beginning of a series against the West Indies he stated in interviews that he aimed, for his 300th wicket, to dismiss star batsman Brian Lara. He did so; what even McGrath could not have predicted was that it was in the middle of a hat trick.
McGrath is a competent outfielder with an excellent throwing arm; not known for his altheticism, on one memorable occasion in 2002, he took a truly exceptional outfield catch, running many metres before leaping into the air and catching the ball with arms outstretched and his body horizontal. His captain Steve Waugh described the famous catch as "a miracle" and "one of the great catches in history".
McGrath's batting prowess, in the early phases of his career, was non-existent. Years of patent tutelage from captain and friend Steve Waugh have improved this aspect of his game, to the point where has has scored a first-class half century on a season in county cricket.
Whilst fiery, confrontational, and on one or two rare occasions on the field ill-disciplined, off the field he is generally reputed to be quiet, friendly, and uncomplicated. He is married with two children; his wife, Jane, is a former flight attendant. Jane has successfully fought a battle with breast cancer and a second one with a bone cancer. McGrath has used his profile to raise money for breast cancer charities.