MacGill to miss home series against India

Sydney, Nov 27 (UNI) Australian leg-spinner Stuart MacGill is all set to undergo a knee surgery, which will make him unavilable for the home series against India starting next month.

MacGill, a veteran of 42 Tests, consented to have the surgery in a last ditch attempt to prolong his playing career and regain full fitness for a gruelling year ahead, which includes tours of Pakistan, India and the West Indies.

The 36-year-old, who has suffered knee, elbow and weight problems in recent times, has already gone under the knife this season. He has had two bouts of surgery in the past six months in a bid to fix knee injury, which he suffered during John Buchanan's boot camp before the 2006-07 Ashes series.

He struggled during Australia's victory over Sri Lanka in the second Test last week, bowling well below his best.

MacGill's domestic team New South Wales (NSW) has also announced that he would not feature in their table-topping Pura Cup clash against Victoria, starting on November 30.

If things go as per plan, MacGill would be available for the final rounds of Pura Cup and for the Pakistan tour.

This news comes as a boon for 'chinaman' Brad Hogg, who will replace MacGill in the Australian side for the Boxing Day Test against India at Melbourne.

The in-form all-rounder has been in very good form this season, having claimed 13 wickets at 23.38 in three Pura Cup matches for Western Australia. He also completed a successful one-day tour of India last month, claiming 11 wickets in seven matches.

Australia will play their next series featuring four Test matches at home against India starting next month.

UNI