MacGill weighs-up Gabba move

Brisbane calling: Stuart MacGill is thinking about full-time northern exposure © Getty Images

Stuart MacGill is considering swapping SCG turners for the Gabba's bounce in a change of scenery to end his first-class career. MacGill, who will play for New South Wales against Queensland in the Pura Cup final at Brisbane tomorrow, revealed his thinking yesterday in a surprise move before the big game.

"It's definitely been an option ... it was a very serious consideration for me in a very similar way to Michael Bevan moving to Tasmania," MacGill told the Courier-Mail. "You have to try and find ways to spice up your career to make sure you are still motivated and there are new challenges always popping up."

MacGill, 34, has talked to his wife Rachel Friend, the actor, about the move and he said the Queensland players were taken back by the idea. "NSW have been very good to me - I would never have played for Australia unless I moved to NSW - but I think that as a sportsman you constantly evolve," he said. "All of the factors that attracted me to Queensland are still very real."

That surprised Brad Haddin, New South Wales's captain. "He said in the article it was an option last year [to move] and we've got him this year so it was a surprise to read it," he said. "I think it's been beat up a bit too much."

The bouncy wicket, which has won him 11 Test wickets, coastal lifestyle and climate remind MacGill of Perth and he said he would also enjoy working with the players. Queensland's spinning options are very limited after Nathan Hauritz, who beat MacGill for a spot on the India tour, was dropped from the Pura Cup side earlier in the season. Hauritz has been linked to the Blues and any off-season move could involve a straight swap.