Anthony McGrath is not a man to blow his own trumpet. So it is worth taking note when he says: �..I�..m a far better player now than when I last played Test cricket three years ago.�.� County bowlers would not argue with that, though the England selectors seem unmoved. McGrath averaged almost 60 in 2005 and by late August this year had amassed another 1,182 firstclass runs at 62. As an allrounder he played four Tests and made the last of his 14 one-day international appearances in 2004. McGrath attributes his consistent excellence to hard work.

�..There�..s no magic formula. I�..m more experienced and I�..ve learned from my mistakes. My game has developed in four-day and one-day cricket and, as one of the senior pros, I know it�..s important that I score runs consistently.�.� And his chances of an England recall? �..I don�..t seem to be in the selectors�.. thoughts at the moment but it�..s always in the back of my mind.�.�

Andrew Collomosse, The Wisden Cricketer