By IANS
Sydney : It is not clear whether Australian leg-spinner Stuart MacGill has agreed to go for a surgery to improve his knee and fitness, but former Australian batsman Mark Waugh feels the leg-spinner might retire from international cricket if he is not selected for the first Test against India beginning Dec 26 in Melbourne.
Mark Waugh, who has the same manager as MacGill, told the Herald Sun, “I have a feeling he would call it a day.” He added, “I think he is 50-50 at the moment, just getting vibes through different people. Who knows what he is thinking? But just from the outside, I think he is on the cusp of retiring.”
Waugh also feels, “But if he gets himself fit and gets some wickets there, that will re-energise him and he could go for a couple of years.”
If MacGill retires or his knee does not allow him to play, Brad Hogg could get the chance. But Hogg could be a bowler that Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid are likely to punish.
According to those close to MacGill, no decision has been made and he has not yet had scans or visited a surgeon.
But, MacGill, who is also editing a film for his new food and wine show, is said to have sent a series of text messages: “I am prepared to take any route necessary to play again at the peak of my powers.
“If I have to miss part of this season, so be it.”
Australian team doctors Trefor James and John Orchard, team manager Steve Bernard, Cricket Australia officials and New South Wales chairman of selectors Brian Taber yesterday denied any knowledge of potential season-ending surgery.
Surgery will most likely rule MacGill out of the first two Tests against India in Melbourne and Sydney. He could be back for the Perth and Adelaide Tests.
However, even if he proves his fitness for the first Test, the selectors might look into the option of playing for pace bowlers on a bouncy MCG track against India, who many Australians feel are suspect against genuine pace.
That would mean Brett Lee, Stuart Clark and Mitchell Johnson could be joined by either Shaun Tait or Ben Hilfenhaus. Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke can be used part-time spinners.