MacGill announces Test retirement

[mas cambios]

MacGill announces Test retirement

Australia leg-spinner Stuart MacGill is to retire from Test cricket at the end of the current match against West Indies in Antigua.

The 37-year-old's decision was announced during a rain hold-up at the start of the third day's play

From the BBC

One of the unluckiest players around, would have had a 100 caps if born in any other test playing country. Saying that he still managed over 200 test wickets, despite often playing second fiddle to Warne.

Leaves Australia in a bit of a spin quandary, as they only have Casson in the squad at the moment, plus the spin looking cupboard isn't as well stocked as it once was.

Will we see Warne back for the 2009 ashes?

 

[Nightvision]

Re: MacGill announces Test retirement

In my eyes, MacGill almost summarises Leg-Spinners everywhere - utterly unplayable when he's at his best, but truly horrible when he was at his worst. His spell yesterday (Day 2) would have embarrassed most Village Cricketers. He was one of those enigmatic spinners who was as likely to take 5-6 wickets for next to nothing as he was to get 0-130.
However, he was definitely a fine international-class spinner, and his 12-for against England was a magnificent display of what he was capable of. I think he should certainly be cursing his luck to be bowling at the same time as arguably the art of Leg Spin's greatest proponent in Warne, and wish him luck in whatever he decides to do from here.

However, one sour note - why is it suddenly becoming fashionable for players to retire in the middle of a series? I'm sure that the last thing Australia needed was to have one of their most experienced bowlers suddenly retire in the middle of a series, as the Windies now know that in the next game they'll be facing either no spinners at all, or a very inexperienced one in Beau Casson. There's hardly any time for them to call up anyone new, so if there was an injury to Brett Lee, suddenly that Aussie bowling attack is looking more than a bit thin. Where was the harm in waiting until the end of the series and then retiring?
It just smacks a little bit of headline-grabbing to me.

 

[Jelly Beanz]

Re: MacGill announces Test retirement

Yeah it is a bit odd, especially half way through a test.

He's one of the group of Aussies who could've practically entered test cricket as a B team and done pretty well around the millenium. Not a bad career though, despite it all.

 

[someblokecalleddave]

Re: MacGill announces Test retirement

Let's hope Warne returns then?

 

[Jonesy]

Re: MacGill announces Test retirement

BRING IN CAM WHITE
BRING IN CAM WHITE
BRING IN CAM WHITE
BRING IN CAM WHITE
BRING IN CAM WHITE
BRING IN CAM WHITE
BRING IN CAM WHITE


OR BRYCE MCGAIN

OR BRYCE MCGAIN
OR BRYCE MCGAIN
OR BRYCE MCGAIN
OR BRYCE MCGAIN
OR BRYCE MCGAIN
OR BRYCE MCGAIN
OR BRYCE MCGAIN
OR BRYCE MCGAIN

 

[jimmy33]

Re: MacGill announces Test retirement

Well, they won't bring another bloke over, the next Test is just to soon. Casson will probably make his Test debut. And Jonesy, we need a specialist spinner, not an all-rounder, so it would be Bryce McGain way before Cameron White. I hope Bryce McGain gets a shot. That would be an absolute fairy tale selection. From club to State to Test, all in 18 months

 

[Jonesy]

Re: MacGill announces Test retirement

Pfft, Clarke, Symonds and White can get as many wickets as MacGill gets between them.

 

[jimmy33]

Re: MacGill announces Test retirement

I kind of think that is why he is retiring...
Plus part timers won't win games (Sydney Test match notwithstanding). However I do want Bryce McGain to get the Test job, he almost deserves it

 

[Jonesy]

Re: MacGill announces Test retirement

Yeh he's easily the best spinner available right now.

 

[jimmy33]

Re: MacGill announces Test retirement

Pretty much. The rest are just a few years/games to young. But once they mature then we will have very rich spin stocks

 

[Jelly Beanz]

Re: MacGill announces Test retirement

Do you not think it's a bit odd bringing in a specialist spinner who averages 40 in first class cricket?? I just looked him up on cricinfo and to be honest, Casson's stats aren't that impressive.

 

[Jonesy]

Re: MacGill announces Test retirement

Exactly. Cam White averages less and is much more handy with the bat.

 

[jimmy33]

Re: MacGill announces Test retirement

He is the best option for a long term spinner. The only reason White averages less is because he bowls a lot less. He averages only 19 overs per game. Casson averages 30 per game.

 

[Jonesy]

Re: MacGill announces Test retirement

White has bowled more overs (yes because he is older) for a lower average, which is better.

 

[jimmy33]

Re: MacGill announces Test retirement

But he hasn't bowled the same amount of overs on average. Which he can bowl 19 overs and pick up 1 wicket for 38 runs in the whole match. Not quite the sort of impact you would want from a front line spinner. Plus their strike rates are pretty much the same

 

[Jonesy]

Re: MacGill announces Test retirement

If they are the same, then White is the better choice because he can bat and field!

 

[jimmy33]

Re: MacGill announces Test retirement

Well they have already said they are not bringing anyone over, so Casson will become Test player number 401, unless the selectors go for a 4 pronged pace attack. But we all know what happened last time they did that (Shaun Tait flinging down those piles of crap)