Stuart MacGill Speaks Out

After receiving a recall to the Australian 13 man test squad for the up-coming Super Series, Stuart MacGill has spoken out on the recent Ashes series, and the future make up of the Australian team.

MacGill had this to say about the dumping of Damien Martyn from the Australian Test squad: “Damien Martyn’s 34, 33 years old – if he’s still averaging 50 in Test cricket I don’t see why he should be forced out”.

On the recent Ashes series a clearly frustrated MacGill had this to say: “I was sitting there watching us go downhill without being able to help”. “Warney took 40 wickets when he’s supposed to be past it”.

With the England players obviously having more trouble with the leg spin of Shane Warne, then the pace bowlers of Australia, MacGill thought himself a good chance of a call up, especially in the 3rd Test at Old Trafford, but unfortunately it was not to be.

He likened his Ashes trip to a holiday: “If I remove cricket from the tour, it was great. It was a nine-week, well-paid holiday. Obviously, I wish it hadn’t been that way, but it was”.

MacGill;s plight highlights the problem with modern touring schedules. With the lack of first class games that are now played, outside of the Test matches, it is very hard for the fringe players to stake a claim on form, for Test selection.