MacGill looking to spin Warne out

Legspinner Stuart MacGill is probably the only Australian who wants leading wicket-taker Shane Warne out of the national Test cricket team.

But he hopes to win a few more people over to his way of thinking by the end of the week.

MacGill, speaking at the New South Wales season launch ahead of this week's Sheffield Shield match against Victoria in Melbourne, said it is up to him to make the most of his opportunity in a head-to-head battle with Warne.

"I can see a couple of chinks in his armour -- he's battling a pre-season injury and I have to make the most of my situation down there," MacGill said Monday.

MacGill outplayed a below-par Warne in their first head-to-head -- a one-dayer in Sydney when the Blues legspinner caught and bowled his opposite number for one. Warne, coming back from a minor knee operation, then took a pasting from the Blues batsmen.

So far, MacGill's international career has been based around Warne's fitness, with MacGill making his Test and one-day debuts only because of injuries to Warne. In stepping into the shoes of the world No.1 legspinner, MacGill has more than held his own. His 12 Tests have netted him 59 wickets at an average of 23.32 and his three one-dayers have seen him concede 3.5 runs per over in 30 overs, as well as taking six wickets at 17.50.

But his last Test was over 18 months ago in the West Indies, when he bowled alongside Warne -- a scenario which could yet unfold on the Australian tour of India in February-March next year.

Before then, though, MacGill would like to force his way into the team on merit and, in the process, condemn Warne to the grandstand.

Mail Cricket Editor