MacGill left out of Sydney

The Australia side will remain unchanged for the final Ashes Test starting on Tuesday, meaning it will be the first time in seven years that Stuart MacGill does not play in the Sydney Test match.

Andrew Hilditch, Australian chairman of selectors explained that whilst MacGill was still in contention for Australia, the selectors would opt for an unchanged side going into the final Test.

“Stuart MacGill was carefully considered for that position and remains very much in the thoughts of the national selection panel,” he said.

“However, to include two specialist spinners in Sydney would have meant changing the attack which has performed so well in the first four Ashes Tests and has been an integral part of Australia’s successful regaining of the Ashes this year.

“Although Sydney will traditionally lend support for the spinners we consider a three-man pace bowling attack, with Shane Warne and Andrew Symonds to bowl spin, as a well-balanced attack and suited to the conditions we are likely to encounter in Sydney.”

Speaking to Mark Waugh for the Sun Herald MacGill indicated that he has faced these hurdles before and is confident the he can continue to represent his country.

“My cricket career has always been about facing challenges and working out how to compete at all levels. I have several things I want to achieve with NSW – more Pura Cups – so maybe two to three years,” He said.

Australia
Ricky Ponting (captain), Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Mike Hussey, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Glenn McGrath, Mitchell Johnson (12th man).