MacGill hoses down international comeback

Roar columnist Stuart MacGill has killed off speculation of a possible international comeback and apologised about any confusion regarding his cricketing future.

The 37-year-old spinner had hinted he was ready to come out of international retirement just five months after quitting the Australian team.

But he moved quickly this afternoon to end such talk.

“I apologise for any confusion,” he said.

“My feelings are simple, and unchanged.

“I would love to be playing cricket for Australia, but unfortunately I am injured.

“The international travel and playing schedule is such that I am unable to guarantee my fitness for Test cricket, however I hope to be still able to compete at the first class level.

“I will only consider that to be an option when I can guarantee both myself and my teammates that I can perform not only a training session, but a match and the remainder of the season.”

He is still in the process of recovering from nagging knee and arm injuries that forced him to hang up his baggy green cap in the Caribbean in June.

The New South Welshman’s career ended on a sad note in the West Indies when he decided to call it quits following an unhappy time with the ball and in the field.

NSW officials maintained their line today that they were still waiting to hear from the prolific wicket-taker before considering him part of this summer’s plans.

MacGill claimed 208 wickets at 29.02 in 44 Tests despite spending the majority of his career playing in Warne’s shadow.

The opportunity for him to be the nation’s No.1 spinner arose last summer following Warne’s retirement in January last year but injuries cruelled his Test series against Sri Lanka and then the West Indies.

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