McGrath's return delayed

Glenn McGrath's return to competitive cricket has been delayed after a fitness test ruled him out of a 2nd XI game between New South Wales and Tasmania, to be played from February 9-12 in Hobart.

NSW team officials decided McGrath had yet to recover from the ankle surgery that had sidelined him from international cricket since October.

This development is likely to upset the Australian selectors' plans, as McGrath was expected to tour Sri Lanka with the national team. Australia are due to arrive in Sri Lanka on February 14, and play the first one-day international at Dambulla on February 20.