Australia v World XI, Super Test, Sydney, 2nd Day

The Warne-MacGill partnership

Peter English

October 15, 2005

Stuart MacGill wants his partnership with Shane Warne to become a regular feature in Tests © Getty Images

Stuart MacGill is tired of hearing that his style does not complement Shane Warne's. At the SCG the pair operates as well as clock hands and MacGill has pleaded for a chance to continue a successful partnership that has appeared in only ten Tests.

"Somebody needs to look at the numbers and realise this is not the first time Shane and I have worked well together and that after a certain number of wickets we have made a strong case to be a regular feature," he said. "It's disappointing that other bowlers can bowl in partnership and Shane and I can't."

The combination bowled Australia to victory with 13 wickets against Pakistan in January and today seven wickets were harvested, MacGill capturing 4 for 39 and Warne 3 for 23 as they sparked a stunning collapse. In an era of abundance for Australian legspinners, the two first-rate performers have been used together sparingly, but the case for retention is growing, especially as the team is experimenting with back-up bowling options.

In Tests where both bowlers have played MacGill has 48 wickets at 23.57 and Warne has 41 at 30.15. MacGill said he still wished he was given a chance during the winter in England. "Shane took 40 wickets on the Ashes tour and as far as an advertisement for a second spinner that's as good as you are going to get," he said. "It's a question that will remain unanswered. I may not have fired a shot over there but we'll never know."

While Warne and MacGill blew the World XI over, Glenn McGrath made the early indents with a testing pre-lunch spell of 2 for 11 from seven overs that pushed him passed Courtney Walsh's fast-bowling world record of 519 wickets. McGrath said overtaking the mark was a "big honour" and he was already looking for the next milestone.

"Courtney was a cricketer that I looked up to and admired, a freak of a player who competed for 21 years straight, hardly taking a break," he said. "I can't see myself catching the next two [Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan] but without doubt my next goal is to reach 600 Test wickets."

Peter English is the Australasian editor of Cricinfo

© Cricinfo

	Email

The Cricinfo Quiz - Australia v South Africa special edition Test your knowledge     Fantasy cricket: Australia v South Africa ODI series game Login/enter your teams now     Live scores, news & ball-by-ball commentary on your phone Cricinfo Mobile

Stories

Bulletin

Verdict

Match home

Matches

Australia v ICC World XI at Sydney

Players/Umpires

Stuart MacGill

Glenn McGrath

Shane Warne

Series/Tournaments

ICC World XI tour of Australia

Teams

Australia