Sydney: Former Australian leg-spinner Stuart MacGill has backed Shane Warne’s return to the Test team, saying that the cricket legend should return if he is keen and available for Sheffield Shield duties. Warne did little to hose down the prospect of an Ashes comeback when he admitted he would consider taking on England if asked by captain Michael Clarke.
MacGill, who took 82 of his 208 wickets in the 16 Tests he played alongside Warne, believes he is still capable of performing at the highest level. “I`d play him. Should he be picked? If any selector said he shouldn`t be picked, that it`s not in the best interests of Australian cricket, I laugh at them. I`m interested in Australian cricket winning. Not in 10 or 15 years, but every day,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted MacGill, as saying.
“The best way to win in 10 or 15 years is for it to be on the tail end of a huge streak. You pick your best team on any given day and if Shane Warne is available, then he`s in it,” he added. While some critics question whether BBL form is any gauge to Test prospects, MacGill has seen enough to suggest Warne remains capable of playing the five-day game, the paper said.
````The only question that needs to be asked is whether he can physically [perform] all day for a couple of days - but he would know that,`’ MacGill said. “If he wants to play, I`d get it over and done with now. A couple of times he`s said he`s focusing on the Stars, which is good because they`ve got an awesome side. But it`s time to get it over and done with and say, `` want to be considered like any other player he added.
ANI
First Published: Sunday, December 16, 2012, 13:17