The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : McGrath back in team

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 22, 2004

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Sport - Cricket

McGrath back in team

SYDNEY, APRIL 21. A fully fit Glenn McGrath will return to action from a nine-month lay off next month after being named in the Australian squad for the tour of Zimbabwe.

McGrath has recovered from the ankle injury that prevented him from playing against India this home season and features both in the Test and one-day squads announced by Cricket Australia here today. Among other changes, Cameron White replaces Stuart MacGill in the Test team after the latter advised the selectors of his unavailability for personal reasons.

All-rounder Andrew Symonds and paceman Shaun Tait have been omitted from the Test squad which toured Sri Lanka last month while Shane Watson has been recalled to the one-day side following a lengthy spell on the sideline with a back injury.

National selection panel chairman Trevor Hohns said McGrath deserved an opportunity to once again prove himself at an international level.

``Glenn is 100 per cent fit and ready to go, so it is sensible that he returns to the squad given his prior status as the premier fast bowler in the world,'' he said.

``With the short nature of the tour it is a good opportunity for Glenn to ease his way back into competitive cricket and it gives us an opportunity to assess how well he is going.''

Australia is to play two Tests and three limited overs internationals. The Test team departs on May 13.

Hohns said MacGill's decision to make himself unavailable for the tour gave selectors an opportunity to further the development of youngster Cameron White.

``We were keen to take two spinners to Zimbabwe and given Stuart's unavailability for the tour, we now have an opportunity to look at one of our younger spinners in Cameron with a view to the future,'' he said.

On players' concern about playing in Zimbabwe, chief executive officer James Sutherland said Cricket Australia has consistently advised players of its expectation that they will be available for selection, but that players with personal concerns will not be forced to tour.

The squad (Test): Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist (vice-captain), Jason Gillespie, Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich, Michael Kasprowicz, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer, Darren Lehmann, Shane Warne, Cameron White, Brad Williams.

One-dayers: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist (vice-captain), Michael Clarke, Jason Gillespie, Brad Hogg, Ian Harvey, Matthew Hayden, Michael Kasprowicz, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Darren Lehmann, Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson and Brad Williams. — PTI

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