England omission would devastate MacGill

Stuart MacGill, the No. 11 batting hero for New South Wales in the Pura Cup final, would be devastated if he missed the Ashes Tour after his best season. MacGill hit the winning runs against Queensland on Sunday to conclude a close final and a stunning summer.

"I think I have done everything I possibly can to be selected for any winter tour," MacGill told the Daily Telegraph. "If they drew up a set of selection criteria I would be very interested to see where I let myself down."

MacGill claimed 54 Pura Cup wickets for New South Wales, breaking Bill O'Reilly's 65-year-old state record, and also helped bowl Australia to victory against Pakistan in the third Test in January. "I've played in a winning state side, I've played in a winning Test match side and every time I've got the ball I've done what I could," he said.

A county bowler for a couple of seasons, MacGill believes his England experience is a big plus for selection as back-up to Shane Warne. "I've played on most of the grounds and come across most of their players, including a lot of the players the Australians have not played before," he said.

MacGill said before the Pura Cup final that he was considering a move to Queensland, but the one-wicket victory changed his mind. "Barring injury, I think you will probably see me here until I can't walk any more," he said.