Australian paceman Glenn McGrath is apparently keen to return for today's VB Series match against South Africa after spending time with his ill wife.
McGrath pulled out of the Australian one-day team before the match against South Africa in Melbourne on Friday citing personal reasons, and it was later made public in a press release that his wife, Jane, was suffering a recurrence of cancer.
Australian vice-captain Adam Gilchrist said today he had spoken to McGrath who indicated to him he wanted to be included for today's one-day match against the Proteas at the SCG.
"I know he is quite keen to play, so that's what they will have to work out," Gilchrist said.
"Longer term, I don't know. We just have to let the dust settle a little bit and really give them a chance to work out what's best for them and then secondary to that is what's best for the team."
"Initially Glenn is quite keen to play tomorrow. That's a good thing for us."
Gilchrist said McGrath had no hesitation in leaving the squad after learning of his wife's news.
"A lot of these things happened quickly and Glenn decided rightly the best place for him yesterday was back home with Jane," he said.
"I have just spoken with Pigeon this morning (and he is) very optimistic and very positive.
Jane McGrath, who has successfully beaten breast and bone cancer, will begin a course of radiotherapy next week.
She was first diagnosed with the disease in 1997 and secondary cancer was found in 2003.
"If anyone knows how to deal with it, those guys do," Gilchrist commented.
"They have had that experience, that's not a great thing to say, but they are leading everybody in the way they are reacting to it."
Australia sealed a berth in the finals with the effortless 80-run win over South Africa on Friday, leaving the Proteas and the Sri Lankans to battle it out for the remaining position.
