Good news for the McGraths

Glenn McGrath is expected to make an announcement within two days about re-joining the Australian cricket team after positive news about wife Jane's cancer, Australian Cricket Board (ACB) spokesman Pat O'Beirne said.

AAP

07-Apr-2003

Mrs McGrath was facing her second battle against cancer in six years.

The fast bowler abandoned his journey to the West Indies and rushed home on Thursday to be with his wife, 36, who had been diagnosed with a secondary cancer in her hip.

The cancer was related to the breast cancer she was first diagnosed with in 1997. After a mastectomy, she was declared cancer-free in 1998.

O'Beirne said ACB general manager Michael Brown had a telephone conversation with McGrath, who said he accompanied his wife to a cancer specialist in Sydney on Friday.

"Jane has seen the specialist and the news is good," O'Beirne said.

"The visit brought a good prognosis and she will have radiation therapy which is expected to treat her condition.

"As far as the McGraths are concerned it is great news."

Prior to Friday's trip to the specialist, the McGraths released a statement which said: "All indications are that with treatment, she (Jane) will have a full recovery".

O'Beirne could not confirm reports that McGrath would miss at least the first two Tests.

He said McGrath was expected to make his announcement following discussions over the next 24 to 48 hours that would involve the bowler, selectors, captain Steve Waugh and team management.

McGrath learned during a stopover in London that scans for a back problem had revealed his wife's condition.

McGrath's manager Warren Craig said English-born Jane, a former flight attendant and mother of James 3, and Holly, 18 months, had been troubled by back problems.

Despite the diagnosis, Craig said McGrath had been in a positive mood and the 33-year-old bowler believed he would return to the West Indies.

Australia