By IANS
Sydney : Veteran leg spinner Stuart MacGill has been given a clear run into the Australian team for the first Test against Sri Lanka after left-arm spinner Brad Hogg was trimmed from the 13-man squad in Brisbane, according to media reports here.
Australian chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch watched Hogg bowl in the nets before making the decision, which was helped by the cloudy and damp conditions in Brisbane, the reports added.
MacGill, who made light of his “bowl-off” with Hogg after training Monday, is now in the prime position to play against Sri Lanka at the Gabba Thursday and resume his Test career after an 18-month break.
He needs only two wickets to reach 200 and should line up alongside Brett Lee, Stuart Clark and Mitchell Johnson, eyeing a Test debut on his home ground.
The Australians retained Ben Hilfenhaus, the Tasmania fast bowler drafted into the squad at the weekend, in the squad but picking four fast bowlers is unlikely despite the swing-friendly conditions.
Hogg returned to Perth to prepare for Western Australia’s Pura Cup match against Queensland Friday.