MacGill running out of time - physio

Stuart MacGill does not have time to significantly improve his fitness ahead of the Boxing Day Test and playing Pura Cup matches in the lead-up could make his knee injury worse, according to Australia's physio Alex Kountouris. The physio's advice came after Tim Nielsen, the coach, told MacGill his fitness would continue to be monitored, especially given Australia's hectic upcoming Test schedule.

Playing two Tests within two weeks hampered MacGill's recovery from knee surgery and he was also struggling with numbness in his hand against Sri Lanka in Hobart. Kountouris said MacGill was free to play for New South Wales in two Pura Cup matches before the India Test series but he would have trouble regaining his fitness in the next month.

"There's not enough time, really," Kountouris told the Herald Sun. "I have made him available to play in the Pura Cup, if he wants to, but that could actually be a limiting factor. It will be hard to improve his fitness during games."

MacGill, 36, had a lot of trouble landing his deliveries where he intended at Hobart, especially in the second innings, and he served up plenty of full tosses and short balls. On Wednesday he said he was undecided about how to approach the next month.