McGrath still hopeful of Test call

Glenn McGrath has not given up hope of earning a late call-up to Australia's Test squad for their three-match series in Sri Lanka, and believes he is bowling better than he has done for years.

McGrath, 34, who has been sidelined for seven months after undergoing ankle surgery, made a successful comeback for New South Wales 2nd XI last week, picking up match figures of 10 for 86 in 50.2 overs against Victoria, and is intent on proving his fitness in what could be NSW's final Pura Cup match of the season, against Queensland on Thursday.

"I'm bowling better than even before the last Ashes series," said McGrath, whose last Test was against Bangladesh in Cairns last July. "The game I played in Melbourne last week was the best I've felt for years. I'm just trying to keep myself as fit and strong as possible."

NSW's match against Queensland will be Steve and Mark Waugh's last home game, as both men have announced their retirement at the end of the season. McGrath, who missed the emotional scenes when Steve bowed out of Test cricket at Sydney in January, said he was "so happy" to be back in time for this occasion.

It is not necessarily the Waugh's final Pura Cup match, however. They can still reach the final against Victoria in Melbourne, but they must take maximum points from the match, and hope, at the same time, that Tasmania are trounced by Victoria in Hobart.