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  • Oct 25th, 2005
  • Comments Off on Selectors must pick MacGill in Test: Waugh
Stuart MacGill must bowl with Shane Warne in next week's opening Test match against the West Indies, former Australian skipper Steve Waugh was quoted as saying Monday.

Debate is raging in Australian cricket over whether selectors again pair the two leg-spinners after they claimed 15 of the 20 wickets in Australia's massive 210-run Test victory over the World XI here last week.

MacGill believes he has done enough to be considered to play against the Caribbean tourists at the Gabba starting on November 3 after taking nine World XI wickets.

MacGill, spurned for the recent Ashes series in England, now has 169 wickets at 27.76 from 34 Tests, at a rate of just under five wickets a match.

Waugh said MacGill was in career-best form and, allied with Warne, could be a key leg-spinning asset for Ricky Ponting's side against the West Indies.

"I think Stuart MacGill has put up a case that you almost can't knock back," Waugh told the Daily Telegraph.

"He is bowling exceptionally well. I haven't seen him bowl any better than he is now. "The same with Shane Warne. They are both at the peak of their bowling powers.

Waugh also said the time was ripe for selectors to show faith in allrounder Shane Watson and his ability to play the third seamer role.

"You have got to bring both players on," Waugh said. "It is the perfect environment with some great players around him. That is exactly the time to bring a guy in to feel his way and get a sense of what is required."

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2005


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