Stuart MacGill's profile by CricketArchive

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Player:

SCG MacGill

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DateLine: 3rd June 2008

 

In an age when Shane Warne spun himself into the history books of world cricket, another leg spinner has been playing in his shadows for so many years. And now only after the retirement of the great Warney, has MacGill gotten a chance to fully command the lead spinner’s position in the team.

 

An old-fashioned operator with a gargantuan legbreak and majestic wrong'un, Stuart MacGill has the best strike-rate and worst luck of any modern spin bowler. Inspite of least available playing opportunities, he took 53 wickets in 11 Tests during Warne's 12-month drugs ban in 2003-04, yet has always been termed as some one who bowls one boundary-ball per over. His listless batting and fielding meant that he has played only 3 ODIs inspite of a great domestic record. He is known to be a wine connoisseur who is said to have read 24 novels on a tour of Pakistan. However, his story has been that of a misfit in the team. He refused to play in Zimbabwe citing political & security reasons, something which has become a major issue with international teams whenever Zimbabwean tours are concerned. But at age 36, it might not be too late to fix things and make a great name for himself, starting with the tour of West Indies.