Ponting comes out in MacGill's support

Despite an unimpressive display against Sri Lanka in Hobart, leg-spinner Stuart MacGill should be an automatic inclusion for the first Test against India if he is fit, captain Ricky Ponting said.

MacGill was troubled by a nerve problem that made it difficult to grip the ball during the last innings of the Test. His cause was further hampered as fluid gathered on the knee that had not completely recovered after the operation he underwent in September.

But Ponting said he was happy with MacGill’s efforts in the first three innings of the series and hoped he will recover with a six-week break before the Melbourne Test against India starting December 26 (Boxing Day Test).

Skipper’s No 1 choice
"I was pretty impressed with what he did in Brisbane and even in the first innings in Hobart he bowled reasonably well. If he gets his body right and he's fit, he will probably stay the No 1 choice spinner." However, the skipper noted that left-arm chinaman bowler Brad Hogg was in the best form of his life.

"No doubt he (MacGill) has carried a few things in this game with his finger (the nerve problem) and his leg has given him a few troubles here, but he's got a few weeks to get his body in the best shape he possibly can," Ponting said.

"It's up to everyone back in New South Wales, and probably (Australian team physiotherapist Alex) Kountouris, to keep a pretty close eye on him and see how his body is progressing for Boxing Day," he added.

Kountouris, meanwhile, indicated that MacGill was not fully prepared coming into the recently concluded Test series against Sri Lanka. The leg spinner didn’t reap any substantial success but the hosts, courtesy of the pace trio of Lee, Clark and Johnson, managed to give a solid drubbing to the Islanders.

Shaun Tait’s comeback?
India has tackled the Australian spinners marvelously in the past, including the likes of Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill. Ponting and his crew may consider the option of playing a fourth fast bowler against India. Shaun Tait, who is expected to be fit in time for the Chappell-Hadlee series starting next month, may get the nod ahead of MacGill.

Australia and New Zealand will clash in only one Twenty20 international followed by a three-ODI series for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy. The T20I will be played on December 11 in Perth. The first ODI will be played in Adelaide on December 14.