Jane McGrath details confirmed, Williams drafted in as cover for Glenn McGrath

Following advice released yesterday by the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) that Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath is returning home from the Travelex Tour of the West Indies to be with his wife Jane, the following information is distributed on behalf of the McGrath family.

Jane McGrath has been diagnosed with a secondary cancer infection in her hip. All indications are that with treatment, she will have a full recovery

Again, the McGraths have asked that the private nature of this matter be respected.

McGrath arrives home today (3 April) and will not be available to media upon his arrival into Sydney.

Meanwhile, Australian paceman Brad Williams has been drafted into the Australian squad to replace Glenn McGrath.

Williams, currently on duty in Brisbane with Australia A, departs Brisbane tonight and will link up with the Australian squad in Georgetown, Guyana, on Sunday 6 April.

Chairman of the National Selection Panel, Mr Trevor Hohns, said the uncertainty of the situation meant the selectors had to make a decision on a replacement player.

"It is an unfortunate situation confronting the McGrath family and it was important that Glenn return home to be with his wife, Jane," said Mr Hohns.

"We will talk with Glenn over the weekend to ascertain his position and see how everything is progressing.

"While we expect he will be able to return to the West Indies, we needed to make an urgent decision about a replacement player after consulting with team management.

"With Damien Martyn joining the squad later in the tour and Jason Gillespie's recent recovery from a heel problem, we felt it was necessary to call in another player to boost the bowling stocks.

"Brad has bowled consistently during the summer and has been in contention for some time, so we expect him to slot in nicely with the balance of the team and make a strong impact with his pace and accuracy."

Speaking from Brisbane where he is preparing for Australia A's day-night match against South Africa A at the Gabba on Friday, Williams said he was pleased at the call up, but was conscious of McGrath's unfortunate situation.

"Obviously I'm pleased to be given the chance to head across to the West Indies and will do my best to help Australia, but certainly our thoughts are with the McGraths at the moment.

"This morning I was focusing on Friday's match at the Gabba against South Africa A, but I'll quickly turn my attention to the West Indies," said Williams.

Twenty-eight year-old Tasmanian Tigers paceman Damien Wright has been named to replace Williams in the Australia A side.

Australia A play six limited-over and two three-day matches against South Africa A beginning in Brisbane on Friday (4 April).