McGain looks forward despite missing contract

The legspinner Bryce McGain has not given up on his international career despite missing out on a Cricket Australia contract last week. McGain played in Australia's most recent Test, in Cape Town in March, but his disappointing results left the selectors scratching their heads for future spin options.

He has resigned himself to the possibility that he will miss out on a spot in the Ashes squad to be announced on Wednesday, with Nathan Hauritz a strong chance to be the only specialist slow bowler chosen. Hauritz was overlooked for all three Tests in South Africa but was a steady performer in three Tests during the home summer.

Hauritz gained his opportunities after Jason Krejza and Cameron White were used on the tour of India in October, following the one-off Test appearance of Beau Casson in the West Indies last year. McGain's unflattering figures of 0 for 149 at Newlands hurt his chances of future selection but he said despite being 37 he had not abandoned hope of again representing Australia.

"I guess the selectors are still searching," McGain told the Sydney Morning Herald. "None of us have really grabbed it and kept running with it. They are just as uncertain as the spinners are. I am sure the selectors have already made up their minds [for the Ashes squad]. I am hopeful, but not really expecting anything.

"If I don't get an opportunity, it's not the end of the world either; there is other cricket to be played. Victoria is in the Champions League Twenty20. Every opportunity I get I will be bowling my best. All that stuff is out of your control, but it doesn't mean I can't get back and earn a contract by playing again. It is far from over."

Although the selectors picked both Hauritz and McGain for the South Africa tour, the chances of them taking two slow men to England are slim and Hauritz, as the only specialist spinner in the new list of contracted players, has the front running. The middle-order batsman Marcus North is viewed is a handy back-up spin option while Michael Clarke, Simon Katich and Andrew Symonds - if he makes the cut - are also capable part-timers.