MacGill in Ashes spin over playing ban appeal

23 Oct, 2006

Australian leg-spinner Stuart MacGill may be unavailable for selection for next month's first Ashes Test with England after a clash with an umpire in a Sydney club match.
Cricket NSW is attempting to put together a judicial panel for MacGill to appeal a two-week ban before crucial Ashes auditions against Queensland at the Gabba this week. MacGill was suspended until November 2 after verbally abusing the umpire, ruling him out of this week's double-header against Queensland, starting with Wednesday's one-dayer.
MacGill, who is desperate to push his Ashes claims with a bowl at the first Test venue, is appealing the severity of the sentence but must wait for his state body to organise a panel to hear the case.
Time is running out with the NSW team scheduled to leave for Brisbane on Tuesday morning.
"No date's been fixed but obviously every effort will be made to have it done as quick as possible," a NSW team spokesman said Sunday.
"The first chance will be tomorrow (Monday) night."
The fiery leg-spinner pleaded guilty to disorderly and improper conduct after being charged for breaching the code of conduct while playing for Sydney University last weekend.

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