McGrath available for Champions Trophy - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

McGrath available for Champions Trophy

By Daniel Brettig 01/05/2006 06:58:58 PM Comments (0)

Australian pace talisman Glenn McGrath is in training to resume his international career during the ICC Champions Trophy in October.

McGrath removed himself from the international arena towards the end of summer to support his wife Jane through cancer treatment.

She has since responded well, according to selection chairman Andrew Hilditch, who said his most recent contact with McGrath had been all positive.

"I have spoken to Glenn since I became chairman, everything is progressing really well from him from a personal family point of view which is the most important thing," Hilditch said.

"He's certainly back in the gym, I don't think he's started bowling yet, but I think he's getting himself up to be ready for (the Champions Trophy)."

Despite the success of similarly miserly New South Wales seamer Stuart Clark on the recent tour of South Africa, McGrath remains a key component of Australia's Ashes plans and Hilditch said captain Ricky Ponting would gladly welcome the 36-year-old back into the fold.

Shane Warne, meanwhile, will have to declare his 2007 World Cup intentions soon to ensure selectors can view him in action before they hand in their preliminary squad of 30.

World Cup regulations state that each nation must name a 30-man squad by January 13, meaning Warne would have to turn out for Australia's limited overs side well before the January 12 start of the annual triangular series in Australia.

"Shane's one of the greatest bowlers of all time, but he has been out of the game for a long time and if he makes himself available then we'll consider the issue then," Hilditch said.

"There will be some time frames, you have to nominate a group of 30 players at some stage well in advance, so if he wants to make himself available he'll have to do so fairly shortly."

Brought to you by AAP AAP © 2024 AAP

0 Comments about this article

Post a comment about this article

Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.

« All sports news