SYDNEY, Dec 6: Australian pace spearhead Glenn McGrath is expected to make his return to cricket with New South Wales (NSW) within a fortnight, team officials said on Saturday.

McGrath, who is recovering from ankle surgery, was not considered for selection in the NSW team named on Saturday for a Sheffield Shield match against Victoria in Melbourne, beginning next Friday.

But team officials said 33-year-old McGrath was likely to be ready for the following week when NSW take on Tasmania here in a four-day game starting on Dec 19. The 430-Test wicket paceman has not played since minor surgery following the home Test series against Bangladesh in July.—AFP