Australia pace bowler Glenn McGrath broke Wasim Akram's World Cup record of 55 wickets in the Super Eights match against Bangladesh on Saturday.

McGrath, 37, who started the tournament 10 wickets behind the Pakistani, took the new ball for the first time in the tournament in a match reduced to 22 overs a side after a five-hour delay.

He equalled Akram's record when he bowled Shahriar Nafees for one in his second over then set the new mark of 56 in his following over when Aftab Ahmed was athletically caught by Nathan Bracken at mid-on for 11.

McGrath, who will retire from all cricket after the World Cup final in Barbados on April 28, has taken more than 360 one-day wickets for his country and has the best World Cup analysis of seven for 15 against Namibia.

His pinpoint accuracy and forensic ability to detect any weaknesses in his opponents' armoury have made him an integral member of the Australia side since he played a major part in their series victory over West Indies in 1995, the first loss by the host side for 15 years.

"Guys like Akram are sort of heroes of mine," McGrath said before Saturday's match.

"He is known as one of the best bowlers of all time. To finally go past him, if I get a couple of more wickets, that would be something special."

At his pre-match news conference, captain Ricky Ponting said McGrath was a proud man.

"He's probably his own harshest critic," he said. "He wants to get everything possible out of his last few games. He's a great competitor, a bit like Shane Warne.

"When it's big game time it's the Glenn McGraths and those sort of guys who generally stand up."