Pigeon puzzler

[Donny]

McGrath's future on hold

By Jon Pierik - Fox


MYSTERY still surrounds Glenn McGrath's future as he takes his first tentative steps to a bowling comeback.

The ailing spearhead had hoped to return after an absence of five months in NSW's ING Cup match against Queensland at Telstra Stadium this Saturday.

But his left ankle is proving slow to heal after two bouts of surgery to remove bone spurs at the front and back of his foot and he is now a doubt for the weekend encounter.

McGrath hopes to have a bowl in the SCG nets this morning but has been told to concentrate on rehabilitation and strengthening the ankle.

It seems he now has little chance of playing in Australia's one-day series in Sri Lanka beginning on February 20 - the same day as the Test squad will be picked.

He is also in doubt for NSW's Pura Cup match in Perth on January 20, leaving him just two first class matchesto prove he is fit for Test selection.

The Australian team physio Errol Alcott said McGrath was making good progress but no date had been set for a return.

"He has a good range of movement in his joint, the swelling is down," he said. "It's not a setback. He's definitely improving, I am really happy with his progress."

It would be the third time McGrath, 34 next month, has postponed his comeback, after failing to make the Boxing Day Test against India and NSW's Pura Cup match with Victoria which began last Friday.

It raises the question of whether he can be the force he once was - or even play again.

The 95-Test veteran, who has a burning desire to pass 500 Test wickets, could also have the ING Cup matches against the Bulls (January 30) and the Redbacks (February 15) to prove his fitness.

McGrath's last com petitive bowl came in Australia's second-Test victory over Bangladesh in Cairns in late July.

Australia have found life without McGrath a struggle this summer.

Jason Gillespie was the only bowler to average less than 50 with the ball as Australia tied the Test series with India with one win apiece.

[JLC]

I still maintain that McGrath probably only has one or two seasons left in him at the most. It wouldnt surprise me if he retires from one day cricket to concerntate on test matches.

His body isnt getting any younger and fast bowling im sure is a hard slog.

jlc

[commonwombat]

JLC,

We CAN find something we agree on. McGrath has never been outright quick but the wear and tear/volume of matches have caught up.

He may be best served missing Sri Lanka or any off-season tours/matches and seeing if he can have a full next season. May be lucky to go past then and be really effective.