'The Hussain wrong'un was huge'

In 1998-99 Shane Warne was out with a shoulder injury and Australia looked to Stuart MacGill. He didn't miss a step and tells Peter English how he was made to feel at home in Sydney

The wrong'un to bowl Nasser Hussain in the second innings of the first Test was a huge point in my career. The confidence required for me to consider bowling that - it was a pretty traumatic experience even to consider doing that then - and for it to work out was a pretty big deal for me. I hadn't played at the Gabba when I went there for the first Test. I was really lucky in the second innings [he took 3 for 51 on the final day before a thunderstorm ended the game] and I thought "here we go, I'm a part of something here". It was a turning point and in hindsight it was almost good that it rained because I left with a very positive feeling and I wanted more.

When the Australian team went to Perth for the second Test I went to play for New South Wales. I got eight wickets in that game against Western Australia and it was a significant omission. Even if I played in Perth I wouldn't have bowled much, so this kept me in touch.

Adelaide and Melbourne were quite interesting. I'd been stuck on four wickets for the match, but I got wickets in both innings at the MCG [4 for 61 and 3 for 81] and I got some runs there [43], which hasn't happened since. I really started to feel like I was contributing and I think that's what led me to the final game. I was growing and having a greater impact. I wasn't being looked on as a replacement, I was doing a good job and it was great to have an opportunity in Sydney to do well with Colin Miller and Shane Warne in the side. It really capped off a great time for me.

I won't ever forget taking 12 wickets at Sydney during my first Test there. There was 5 for 57 in the first innings and 7 for 50 in the second. Thinking about it, Mum and Dad were there, and it was nice. I'm not from Sydney but people in Sydney made me feel like I was. It was really great to make a contribution in each game.

Stuart MacGill took 27 wickets at 17.70 in four Tests and dismissed Graeme Hick, Alec Stewart and Darren Gough four times