Even so, there is very good news in that everyone's favourite tubsy spinner is available for the First Test against the Kiwis. According to the Sydney Morning Herald today, MacGill will once again be relegated to his familiar position of drinks carrier at best since Warnie is now "fit" for selection. MacGill must be getting quite the callous from pushing that cart so often. "Although it was sore, the pain settled down very quickly and he has managed it mainly with ice and a compression bandage," Australian team doctor Trevor James said of Warne's thumb. "He's available for the Test."

In other cricket news, it appears that Melbourne has suffered even more rain than usual and have put the Telstra Dome on notice that the Boxing Day Test maybe shifting to their place.

Apparently, all this recent rain has delayed work on preparing the surface and left the MCG looking like a 100,000 seat mud wrestling arena. (Note to self: Approach the MCG Trust about hosting a massive mud wrestling event. Crowd participation encouraged)

"There's no panic stations yet, the wicket to be used in the Test is currently being prepared indoors and will be dropped in, while the new turf was ready to be rolled out, the spokesman said. A Cricket Australia spokesman said there were no concerns over possible delays and that Ware's team had a "really good record of delivering for the Boxing Day Test".