McGrath targets Champions Trophy return

In the meticulous fashion that we have come to expect from such a metronomic great, Glenn McGrath has chalked out his comeback plan into the Australian side. McGrath has revealed that he intends to make his comeback in the Champions Trophy in India in October, play a few domestic matches and then immerse himself fully in the task of regaining the Ashes.

McGrath, Test cricket's most successful fast bowler with 542 wickets, has not played a game of cricket since his wife, Jane, was re-diagnosed with cancer on February 3. He missed Australia's tours of South Africa and Bangladesh recently but with his wife's health steadily improving, he is aiming to be fully fit to lead his side's attack by the time the Ashes roll along in November.

McGrath's plans ostensibly ignore the advice his captain, Ricky Ponting, gave him recently, urging him to bypass the Champions Trophy altogether and instead arrange a county stint in England to enable him to have some long and repeated bowling spells and regain match fitness.

But McGrath told The Daily Telegraph (Australia) that he is eager to play in India. "Personally, I feel that it would be perfect for me to [play in the Champions Trophy] and have a couple of games in the Pura Cup [domestic competition]. That's my plan. But if they [selectors] would prefer me to look at county cricket, I would look at that."

Ponting's advice was based on the belief that McGrath traditionally takes longer to settle into a rhythm and he was keen therefore to avoid having to ease McGrath into the Ashes, which are due to begin from November 23. Andrew Hilditch, chairman of selectors, also confirmed this week that McGrath was "gearing himself up" to be ready for the tournament. McGrath, who has begun pre-season training, added: "I've got no doubts at all that I will be definitely ready to go. Now we've got to see what the best preparation is."

Jane McGrath was diagnosed with cancer for a third time earlier this year and although she's not yet out of the woods, McGrath said his wife seemed to be winning the fight. "She's still going through treatment [but] it's only once every three weeks at the moment, so it's not too arduous and she's coping really well. He said it was a "little too early" to say his wife had turned the corner but added: "there's still ongoing stuff and over the next few months we'll see hopefully a big change there."