Dennis Lillee and Glenn McGrath don’t often get days where they can walk down the street without being recognised.

But the man who sits narrowly behind them with the third-best bowling average in the history of Australian one-day cricket is happy to remain cricket’s most anonymous star.

Clint McKay’s reliable numbers earned him last year’s ODI player of the year award at the Allan Border Medal, but in some ways the Victorian would have preferred the result not be made public.

Luckily for him then, not even that recognition has turned McKay into a household name.

Even if the right-armed quick has every right to feel a little miffed at his lack of profile.

McKay will play a crucial role for Australia in the Champions Trophy opener against England in Birmingham on Saturday.

An absence of airtime and column inches will suit him just fine.

“I don’t like the big fanfare and that sort of stuff. I don’t need to sit up in front of a camera and tell everyone what I actually do,” McKay told AAP.

“It’s quite nice to walk down the street and no one knows who you are, and then go out and do your business.

“As long as I can contribute and do my role in the team I’m happy.

“I don’t need that other stuff, like some of these other young kids coming through … although I’ll get in trouble for saying that.”

McKay averages 22.22 with the ball from his 42 ODIs, trailing Lillee (20.82) and McGrath (21.98) on the all-time list.

The 30-year-old took 27 scalps from just 17 matches last calendar year, to comfortably lead the way as Australia’s leading wicket-taker.

This Champions Trophy is the first tournament action of McKay’s career, but he believes he’s primed to excel.

He says being named Australia’s ODI player of the year ahead of the likes of Michael Clarke, Shane Watson and Dave Warner has allowed him the luxury of really feeling at home on the international stage.

“I feel more comfortable day in day out actually playing international cricket,” he said.

“That came last year as well with Mickey (coach Mickey Arthur) and Pup (Clarke) showing a lot of faith in me.”