MacGill back in Australian team (7 December 1998)

7 December 1998

MacGill back in Australian team

AFP

SYDNEY, Dec 7 (AFP) - Legspinner Stuart MacGill has been recalled to the Australian cricket side for the third Test against England in Adelaide starting on Friday.

The Australian selectors have dropped paceman Michael Kasprowicz from the 12 man squad.

MacGill was left out of Australia's second Test win in Perth after playing a key role in the drawn Ashes opener in Brisbane because the selectors believed rightly pace would be the factor in Perth.

If Australia face a dry, spinner's pitch in Adelaide and decide to play MacGill and Colin Miller, either Damien Fleming or Jason Gillespie would have to make way.

In that case the odds are South Australian speedster Gillespie would carry the drinks in front of his home fans.

Either way it looks a difficult call.

Gillespie took 7-111 in Perth, including four wickets in six balls in the second innings, while Fleming was man of the match with 9-91.

Shane Warne was initially planned to return in Adelaide but his results for Victoria suggest he is below Test-match form.

An Australian win in Adelaide will ensure the Ashes stay down under. Warne believes he will be back for the fourth Test starting in Melbourne on December 26.

"Boxing Day is my target for meeting the Poms. My aim is the Fourth Test on my favourite ground in front of 90,000 people at the MCG," he said.

Warne said he was not confident enough to bowl his flipper but was practising a variety of deliveries and hoped physiotherapy would clear up the stiffness which is inhibiting him.

"I'm dropping them short, which I've never done in my whole career," he said. Australia:

Mark Taylor (capt), Steve Waugh (vice capt), Michael Slater, Justin Langer, Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Ian Healy, Stuart MacGill, Damien Fleming, Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Colin Miller