McGrath doubtful for Sri Lanka tour

Glenn McGrath: weekend's comeback ruled out © Getty Images

Glenn McGrath appears to have lost his battle to be fit for the forthcoming tour of Sri Lanka.

He had hoped to return to action this Sunday in a one-day match for New South Wales against South Australia, but he has had to withdraw. That makes it highly unlikely that he will be named in the NSW side for Tuesday's Pura Cup match against the same opponents.

If McGrath, 34, hasn't even managed one first-class game this summer, Australia's selectors are unlikely to gamble on his fitness. Earlier in the week Trevor Hohns, Australia's chairman of selectors, admitted McGrath might have been too ambitious in trying to return in time for the Sri Lanka series.

And doubts have been expressed by a few people that McGrath's international career might be coming to a close. Last weekend, Merv Hughes said that injuries and age were catching up.

McGrath has not played a match since the second Test against Bangladesh at Cairns in July. Shortly afterwards, he had two operations to remove bone spurs from his foot. His ankle is still weak, and it is thought that he is struggling to put his full weight on it in his delivery stride.