MacGill rubbishes retirement after surgery, vows to play on

Sydney, Dec 5 (UNI) Australian leg spinner Stuart MacGill has brushed aside any retirement plans following his wrist surgery and pledged to recover in time for next year's sojourn to India, West Indies and Pakistan.

The 36-year-old enegmatic has been diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and will undergo an operation on his right wrist to alleviate pain and numbness in his bowling hand.

He will be out of action for approximately four to six weeks, missing at least the first two Tests of the four-match home series against India which begins on the Boxing Day in Melbourne.

''I definitely plan to play on,'' MacGill was quoted as saying in Crcicket Australia's (CA) website.

''I don't think it would be worth my while to have surgery at this point in time unless I could see some future. I'm not prepared to give up now in case I regret it later.

''My international career and state career have been pretty short and I think I've got quite a bit more to go yet,'' he added.

Although, MacGill struggled in the recent test series against Sri Lanka, taking just five wickets for 326 runs, the 36-year-old is optimistic about his participation in the Kangaroos' tour to the sub-continent -- India and Pakistan -- and the Caribbeans next year.

He even made it clear that he would not be adopting short cut methods in his rehabilitation.

''I've never shied away from a chardonnay (but) if you're going to have an operation you probably should make sure you do the work before and after it otherwise you're wasting your time,'' he said.

MacGill has also backed team-mate Brad Hogg to take his place in the first Test against India on December 26.

UNI